Laparoscopic appendectomy in the pediatric age group: comparative study between LigaSure and monopolar diathermy

Abstract

Background Various techniques such as endoloops, endoscopic linear cutting staplers, electrothermal vesselsealing system (LigaSure), Harmonic scalpel, clips, and bipolar coagulation have been used for the division of the mesoappendix during laparoscopic appendectomy. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential benefits and limitation of LigaSure and electrocautery in laparoscopic appendectomy (LA).
Patients and methods Forty patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit at the Alexandria University Children’s Hospital between September 2008 and September 2010 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the mesoappendix dissection device: LigaSure and monopolar diathermy (MD) groups. The primary outcome measures (operating time, conversion rate, length of hospital stay, bleeding during dissection, port site infection, and readmissions) were compared.
Results LA was performed in 40 patients with acute appendicitis. Twenty cases were in the LigaSure group and 20 cases were in the MD group. The mean operative times were 33.05 min and 43.80 min in the LigaSure and MD groups, respectively. Bleeding during appendicular dissection as roughly estimated by the mean number of needed irrigations were 1.60 and 1.95 for the LigaSure and MD groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences regarding hospital stay, rate of infection, readmissions, or conversion to open appendectomy were found, whereas significant differences were observed in operative time and bleeding.
Conclusion The use of LigaSure for dissection of the mesoappendix shortens the operative time, and significantly decreases bleeding during LA. We believe that LigaSure is a safe and useful tool for mesoappendix dissection during LA

Keywords: children, laparoscopic appendectomy, LigaSure, monopolar diathermy