Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
What Is the Best Way to Close After Appendectomy?
Cochrane; 2017 Nov 13; Mannu, et al
Choosing the best way to close up the appendix stump after laparoscopic appendectomy is still open to debate, according to a recent Cochrane review of the literature.
- 8 randomized controlled trials involving 850 patients have evaluated the pros and cons of closure techniques.
- When closing the surgical opening, mechanical devices did not result in fewer complications, when compared to ligatures.
- Mechanical devices reduced operation time by 9 minutes, when compared to ligatures.
- However, mechanical devices did not reduce overall hospital stay.
- There were too few data to determine if either approach influences hospital costs, pain, or quality of life.
Citation:
Mannu GS, Sudul MK, Bettencourt-Silva JH, Cumber E, Li F, Clark AB, Loke YK. Closure methods of the appendix stump for complications during laparoscopic appendectomy. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2017, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD006437. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006437.pub3.