A single-institution review of the absorbable clips used in laparoscopic colorectal and gallbladder surgery: feasibility, safety, and effectiveness

This retrospective study was conducted to examine the safety and effectiveness of polymeric absorbable clips in laparoscopic gallbladder and colorectal surgery. The prospectively maintained database review included all patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and colorectal resection at the institution between November 2004 and December 2009. In each patient, absorbable clips were used as the only system of vascular and cystic duct ligation. Of the 911 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria, 664 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 247 underwent laparoscopic colonic resection. No intra-operative or post-operative bleeding related to absorbable clip use occurred in either procedure. No bile duct injuries or cystic duct leakages were observed. There were no peri-operative deaths with either procedure. In this experience, absorbable clips demonstrated easy handling and high reliability. They provided safe hemostasis and permitted complete and adequate oncologic resection.