Laparoscopic bipolar strip-tease appendicectomy. A new endosurgical technique.

Since its conception, several techniques have been described for laparoscopic appendicectomy. We describe a technique which utilizes a 5-mm bipolar forceps designed to coagulate and cut tissues at the same time; 50 pediatric patients underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy for acute appendicitis using this "stripping and teasing" technique. No bleeding complications occurred. There were only two postoperative abscesses in the series. We believe that the bipolar laparoscopic striptease appendicectomy technique as developed by the senior author is safe, quick, and effective, even for severe appendicitis.