Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2013; 19(43): 7743-7750
Published online Nov 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i43.7743
Single-incision vs three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for complicated and uncomplicated acute cholecystitis
Shu-Hung Chuang, Pai-Hsi Chen, Chih-Ming Chang, Chih-Sheng Lin
Shu-Hung Chuang, Pai-Hsi Chen, Chih-Sheng Lin, Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsin-Chu 30068, Taiwan
Shu-Hung Chuang, Pai-Hsi Chen, Department of Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu 30071, Taiwan
Chih-Ming Chang, College of Management, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 24205, Taiwan
Chih-Ming Chang, Department of Nursing, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu 30071, Taiwan
Author contributions: Chuang SH designed the study; Chuang SH and Chen PH collected the data; Chuang SH, Chen PH, Chang CM and Lin CS analyzed the data; Chuang SH and Lin CS drafted the manuscript; Lin CS revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Chih-Sheng Lin, PhD, Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, No. 75 Po-Ai Street, Hsin-Chu 30068, Taiwan. lincs@mail.nctu.edu.tw
Telephone: +886-3-5131338 Fax: +886-3-5729288
Received: June 3, 2013
Revised: August 17, 2013
Accepted: September 15, 2013
Published online: November 21, 2013
Processing time: 198 Days and 9.3 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is an alternative treatment for uncomplicated benign gallbladder diseases, but its role in acute cholecystitis remains unclear. This comparative analysis of SILC with three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treating acute cholecystitis represents the largest series to date and proportion of gangrenous cholecystitis patients (30.6%). The well-known drawbacks of SILC - longer operative time and higher cost - were alleviated by the larger paraumbilical incisions facilitating extraction of inflamed gallbladders and reliance on conventional instruments only. The low procedure conversion rate observed for SILC indicated its safety and efficacy for treating acute cholecystitis. SILC providing a faster recovery time was the main benefit to these patients.