Single-Incision Cholecystectomy in about 200 Patients

Abstract EN

Background and Aims.

We describe our experience of performing transumbilical single-incision laparoendoscopic cholecystectomy as standard procedure for acute and chronic gallbladder diseases.

Methods.

Between September 2008 and March 2010, 220 patients underwent laparoscopic single-incision surgery.

A single port was used for 196 patients and two conventional 5 mm and one 10 mm port in 24 cases.

All operations were performed with straight instruments.

Results.

Single-incision surgery was successfully performed in 215 patients (98%).

Three patients (1.4%) required conversion to a three-port technique and two patients (0.9%) to an open procedure.

Average age of 142 women (65%) and 78 men (35%) was 47 years (range: 15–89), average ASA status 2 (range: 1–3) and BMI 28 (range: 15–49).

Mean operative time was 62 minutes (range: 26–174) and 57 patients (26%) had histopathological signs of acute cholecystitis.

Eleven patients (5%) developed to surgery-related complications and nine (4%) of these required a reoperation.

The mean followup was 331.5 (range: 11–590) days.

Conclusion.

Transumbilical single-incision cholecystectomy is a feasible and safe new approach for routine cholecystectomy.

After a short learning curve, operation time and complication rate are comparable with standard multiport operation.

In addition, most cases of acute cholecystitis can be performed with this technique.