LAPAROSCOPIC APPENDECTOMY IN CHILDREN PERFORMED USING SINGLE ENDOSCOPIC GIA STAPLER FOR BOTH MESOAPPENDIX AND BASE OF APPENDIX

Background/Purpose: Similar to open appendectomy (OA), most of the met hods described for laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) require two steps: ( 1) dissection and division of mesoappendix and (2) excision of appendi x. Dissection of mesoappendix requires more skill and experience durin g LA. In single endoscopic GIA stapler laparoscopic appendectomy techn ique (SESLAT), both mesoappendix and base of appendix may be divided i n one step with the application of a single endoscopic GIA stapler, Me thods: LA was attempted in 18 patients who had acute appendicitis and was successfully performed in 16 patients. Results: In two patients, t he operation was converted to OA. The authors did not need conversion to OA because of complication resulting from the use of the stapler. C onclusions: SESLAT is a quick, easy, and versatile method for LA in ch ildren that obviates dissection of mesoappendix and related complicati ons. Thus, it enables LA to be performed by inexperienced beginners. C opyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.