Improvised transumbilical glove port: a cost effective method for single port laparoscopic surgery

Abstract

Innovations in technology has changed the traditional laparoscopy to be less invasive. Singleport transumbilical laparoscopy has emerged to enhance the cosmetic benefits and to decrease the morbidity of the minimally invasive surgery. It has further minimized the minimally invasive surgery. However, this technique requires a specialized multichannel port (for introducing laparoscope and instruments) which is very costly and in fact, is not affordable by the majority of the population in a developing country like India. We have improvised a single-port access system using readily available materials like surgical gloves, towel ring, inner flexible ring and conventional laparoscopic trocars with no added cost burden to the patient. We have performed 40 single port surgeries using this method without any complications.

Keywords: Improvised glove port; Single-port access surgery; Single-port laparoscopic surgery; Transumbilical E.K. Glove port.

Fig. 1

Materials required for construction of transumbilical glove-port

Fig. 2

Rubber bands made from the finger of glove

Fig. 3

Trocar fixed to the finger of the glove with rubber bands

Fig. 4

Open end of glove passed through the flexible ring

Fig. 5

Glove port ready for insertion

Fig. 6

Inner ring introduced through the umbilical incision

Fig. 7

Open end of glove being wrapped around the towel ring

Fig. 8

The transumbilical E.K. glove port

Fig. 9

Postoperative photograph showing umbilical incision after single-port cholecystectomy