Appendectomy

More than 80 percent of the appendectomies in the U.S. in 2009 were performed laparoscopically.²¹ The benefits are clear – a decrease in wound infection was observed for laparoscopic appendectomies as compared to open.²⁰ And the decreased pain patients feel during recovery is demonstrated by their reduced use of narcotics – With a minimally invasive approach, patients took an average of 14mg of morphine equivalent analgesia, compared to an average of 34mg for patients who underwent open surgery.¹⁸

In fact, the clinical outcomes and benefits of minimally invasive appendectomies have caused a shift toward performing the procedures on an outpatient basis. In 2004, 24 percent of appendectomies were performed as outpatient procedures and that number is expected to reach 44 percent by 2014.¹⁵

When it comes to performing MIP appendectomies, consider:

ENDOPATH® XCEL™ Trocars provide smooth and unencumbered laparoscopic access to the abdomen, with bladeless, dilating, and blunt-tip options.

ECHELON ENDOPATH™ Line of Endocutters combines strength for rigorous procedures with innovative designs needed for surgery. Developed with Halsted’s principles of surgery in mind, they are designed to provide uniform, consistent staple formation proximally-to-distally along the staple line.¹ They can be used to:

• Transect the appendix usually with 1-2 firings.
• Transect the mesoappendix usually with 1 firing.

ENDOPOUCH® Specimen Retrieval Bags are designed for the minimally invasive removal of tissue such as the appendix.

DERMABOND ADVANCED™ Topical Skin Adhesive – a unique formulation that provides patients with a triad of benefits when used in addition to sutures

• Adds strength ex vivo¹
• Inhibits bacteria in vitro^117,*
• Provides a flexible microbial barrier^117,†

Plus Antibacterial Sutures – the only commercially available sutures with antibacterial protection

• Provides strength through critical healing period^1,155
• Protection against bacterial colonization of the suture by organisms commonly associated with surgical site infection^137,138,146