Single-incision vs three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy:Prospective randomized study

AIM:To compare the clinical outcome of single-inci-sion laparoscopic cholecystectomy(SILC)with threeport laparoscopic cholecystectomy(TPLC). METHODS:Between 2009 and 2011,one hundred and two patients with symptomatic benign gallbladder diseases were randomized to SILC(n=49)or TPLC (n=53).The primary end point was post operative pain score(at 6 h and 7 d).Secondary end points were blood loss,operation duration,overall complications,postoperative analgesic requirements,length of hospital stay,cosmetic result and total cost.Surgical techniques were standardized and all operations were performed by one experienced surgeon,who had performed more than 500 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. RESULTS:One patient in the SILC group required conversion to two-port LC.There were no open conversions or major complications in either treatment groups.There were no differences in terms of esti-mated blood loss(mean±SD,14±6.0 mL vs 15±4.0 mL),operation duration(mean±SD,41.8±17.0 min vs 38.5±22.0 min),port-site complications(contusion at incision:5 cases vs 4 cases and hematoma at inci- sion:2 cases vs 1 case),total cost(mean±SD,12 075 ±1047 RMB vs 11 982±1153 RMB)and hospital stay (mean±SD,1.0±0.5 d vs 1.0±0.2 d),respectively. TPLC had a significantly worse visual analogue pain score at 8 h after surgery(mean±SD,3.5±1.6 vs 2.0 ±1.5),however,the scores were similar on day 7(mean ±SD,2.5±1.4 vs 2.0±1.3).Cosmetic satisfaction, as determined by a survey at 2 mo follow-up favored SILC(mean±SD,8±0.4 vs 6±0.2). CONCLUSION:SILC is a safe and feasible approach in selected patients.The main advantages are a better cosmetic result and less pain.