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

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.

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.

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.

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.