Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for cholecystectomy: an evolving technique

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic techniques have allowed surgeons to perform complicated intraabdominal surgery with minimal trauma. Recent innovators have pioneered the use of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), which has the potential of further reducing the trauma of surgical access. This may lead to reduced postoperative pain and improved patient cosmesis.

Methods: This article reports the authors' method of performing SILS cholecystectomy, with carefully placed sutures used to puppeteer the gallbladder and thus aid retraction.

Results: The authors have performed SILS cholecystectomy for 23 patients with good results.

Conclusions: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a feasible way to perform cholecystectomy. Further work in the form of randomized controlled trials is needed to investigate the advantages of this new technique.