Loop ileostomy closure: comparison of cost effectiveness between suture and stapler

Area of Science:

• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Surgical Techniques
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background:

• Loop ileostomy closure is a common surgical procedure.
• Various techniques, including sutures and staplers, are employed for closure.
• Comparative cost-effectiveness data for these techniques are valuable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the cost-effectiveness of three different loop ileostomy closure techniques.
• To evaluate operative time and costs associated with suture-only, stapler-only, and combined stapler-suture methods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 128 patients undergoing loop ileostomy closure.
• Categorization into three groups: hand-sewn anastomosis, stapler-only, and stapler-suture combination.
• Primary outcome: operative cost; secondary outcomes: operative time and complications.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in early or late postoperative complications across the three groups.
• Operative time was significantly shorter for the stapler-only group compared to suture-only and stapler-suture groups.
• Operative costs were significantly higher for the stapler-suture combination group compared to the other two groups.

Conclusions:

• Stapler-only loop ileostomy closure is associated with significantly shorter operative times.
• Techniques involving sutures, particularly the stapler-suture combination, incur higher operative costs.
• Stapler-only closure presents a potentially more efficient and cost-effective option.