Comparison of Stump Closure Methods in Laparoscopic Appendectomy: Hem-o-Lok Clip and Laparoscopic Titanium Clip.

Background: Appendectomy for acute appendicitis is the most common acute abdominal surgery. Open and laparoscopic appendectomy surgeries are performed with different techniques. Laparoscopic appendectomy has become a widespread method due to its advantages. The aim of this study is to compare the complications, surgery time, hospitalization length, and cost-effectiveness of titanium clips and hem-o-lok clips for stump closure in laparoscopic appendectomy.

Methods: This study included 187 patients who were operated on laparoscopically for acute appendicitis at our hospital between April 2019 and June 2022. The patients' follow-up for 30 days after surgery was evaluated. The data of 179 patients in whom titanium and hem-o-lok clips were inserted during an appendectomy were included in the study.

Results: Between April 2019 and June 2022, 179 patients were included in the study retrospectively. When the correlation between complications and surgical methods was analyzed, 98.8% of the hem-o-lok clip group and 99% of the titanium clip group had no complications. No statistically significant difference was observed between complications and surgery type (P > .05). In the hem-o-lok and titanium clip groups, the operative time was 52.4 minutes and 53.1 minutes, and the hospitalization times were 1.7 days and 1.8 days, respectively.

Conclusions: It is concluded that the use of titanium clips that completely close the root of the appendix is as safe, accessible, feasible, practical, and effective as the hem-o-lok clip method. It was observed to be used safely as an alternative to other appendix root closure methods.