Closure of the appendix stump in laparoscopic appendicectomy

Acute appendicitis is a common disease with a prevalence of 12% in Western Europe (1). Laparoscopic appendicectomy has been recently suggested to be the “golden standard” treatment of acute appendicitis (2). Nevertheless, laparoscopic appendicectomy has been postulated to be associated with an increased incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. The method of closure of the appendix stump in laparoscopic appendicectomy may affect the risk of this complication. Surgical options include ligation of the stump using simple or pre-tied sutures (endoloops), staplers and clips.