Published online Aug 27, 2015. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v7.i8.145
Peer-review started: January 15, 2015
First decision: February 7, 2015
Revised: April 25, 2015
Accepted: June 30, 2015
Article in press: July 2, 2015
Published online: August 27, 2015
Processing time: 231 Days and 17.1 Hours
AIM: To compare the safety of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomies with standard four-port cholecystectomies.
METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2012 datas were gathered from 100 consecutive patients who received a single-port cholecystectomy. Patient baseline characteristics of all 100 single-port cholecystectomies were collected (body mass index, age, etc.) in a database. This group was compared with 100 age-matched patients who underwent a conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the same period. Retrospectively, per- and postoperative data were added. The two groups were compared to each other using independent t-tests and χ2-tests, P values below 0.05 were considered significantly different.
RESULTS: No differences were found between both groups regarding baseline characteristics. Operating time was significantly shorter in the total single-port group (42 min vs 62 min, P < 0.05); in procedures performed by surgeons the same trend was seen (45 min vs 59 min, P < 0.05). Peroperative complications between both groups were equal (3 in the single-port group vs 5 in the multiport group; P = 0.42). Although not significant less postoperative complications were seen in the single-port group compared with the multiport group (3 vs 9; P = 0.07). No statistically significant differences were found between both groups with regard to length of hospital stay, readmissions and mortality.
CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy has the potential to be a safe technique with a low complication rate, short in-hospital stay and comparable operating time. Single-port cholecystectomy provides the patient an almost non-visible scar while preserving optimal quality of surgery. Further prospective studies are needed to prove the safety of the single-port technique.
Core tip: Single-port cholecystectomies can be performed safe when performed by experienced surgeons. Low complication and conversion rates are seen, similar to standard multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Single-port cholecystectomies can be performed in similar or even shorter operating times compared to the standard procedure. Single-port cholecystectomies can provide the patient an almost non-visible scar while preserving optimal quality of surgery.