A Comparison of Nonabsorbable Polymeric Clips and Endoloop Ligatures for the Closure of the Appendicular Stump in Laparoscopic Appendectomy: A Prospective, Randomized Study

The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of hem-o-lok ligation system in laparoscopic appendix stump closure by comparing the endoloop ligature. A total of 53 patients were evaluated in this study (n = 26 and 27 for hem-o-lok and endoloop groups, respectively). The mean operation time were shorter in hem-o-lok group than endoloop group (64.7 +/- 19.2 vs. 75.4 +/- 23, respectively); however, the difference was not significant. Other surgical findings were similar. There was no statistically significant difference in overall non-surgically or surgically related complications. The mean postoperative hospitalization time was also similar in both groups. Although it is not possible to make general conclusions on basis of such a limited study, in our opinion, closure of the appendix stump with polymeric nonabsorbable clips in laparoscopic appendectomy may be a cheaper and simpler alternative to other widely used methods.