[Technique and significance of stump management for outcome of laparoscopic appendectomy]

Abstract

We compared 140 appendectomies in a prospective study with regard to length of operation, stay in hospital and intra- and postoperative complications. We operated by four methods and made up four groups, 35 patients in each: (1) application of RODER-loop and manual stump-sinking; (2) application of RODER-loop without manual stump-sinking; (3) application of Endo-GIA; (4) conventional appendectomy according to McBurney. Intraoperative complications occurred mainly in laparoscopic appendectomy, while disturbances of wound-healing were observed mainly in conventional appendectomy. The analysis of postoperative complications in laparoscopic appendectomy showed the most complications in the second group (RODER-loop without stump-sinking), while using the Endo-GIA involved only a little risk. In a clear situs the laparoscopic appendectomy with the RODER-loop with manual stump-sinking is recommended; in cases with a difficult preparation or advanced appendicitis the application of the Endo-GIA is a safe technique with the best results.