Meta-Analysis
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2013; 19(31): 5165-5173
Published online Aug 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i31.5165
Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy vs conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Yu-Long Cai, Xian-Ze Xiong, Si-Jia Wu, Yao Cheng, Jiong Lu, Jie Zhang, Yi-Xin Lin, Nan-Sheng Cheng
Yu-Long Cai, Xian-Ze Xiong, Si-Jia Wu, Yao Cheng, Jiong Lu, Jie Zhang, Yi-Xin Lin, Nan-Sheng Cheng, Department of Bile Duct Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Cai YL and Cheng NS designed the study; Wu SJ, Cheng Y and Lu J performed the literature searchand collected the data; Zhang J and Lin YX analyzed the data; Cai YL and Xiong XZ wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Nan-Sheng Cheng, MD, Professor, Department of Bile Duct Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 GuoXue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. nanshengcheng2012@163.com
Telephone: +86-28-85422461 Fax: +86-28-85422462
Received: February 21, 2013
Revised: July 4, 2013
Accepted: July 9, 2013
Published online: August 21, 2013
Processing time: 179 Days and 9 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: The clinical benefit of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA), compared to the conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy, has been a controversial issue in recent years. We performed the first systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails (RCTs) that have assessed the clinical benefits and disadvantages between SILA and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA). Six RCTs conducted between 2011 and 2013 were identified and pooled to determine outcomes using meta-analytic methods. From this analysis, we conclude that SILA is as safe as CLA. Although patients receiving SILA had longer operative times and a higher conversion rate, one benefit of SILA is cosmetic satisfaction.