Teaching Single-Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy in Pediatric Patients

Introduction: Laparoscopic appendectomy is accepted as the gold standard technique for the treatment of acute appendicitis. Recently single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) was tried in the pediatric population and was shown to be both feasible and safe. We describe our early experience in teaching the SILS procedure for appendicitis in a large community hospital center surgical residency program. Methods: SILS appendectomy was performed in 40 consecutive patients with acute appendicitis who were admitted by a single surgeon from May 2011 to August 2011. All patients over the age of 4 y presenting with noncomplicated and complicated appendicitis (perforated) were offered SILS appendectomy. Execution of the technical aspects of 20 SILS operations done by 3 PGY III residents was evaluated. Results: The average age of the patient was 11.1 y (range, 7 to 15). SILS was performed successfully in 19 out of 20 patients. Nineteen patients underwent emergent or urgent appendectomy, while 1 patient underwent an interval procedure. Nine patients were found to have perforated appendicitis, while the other 11 had noncomplicated acute appendicitis. One patient was converted to conventional 3-port laparoscopy due to difficulties during the procedure. The mean operative time was 73 min (range, 47 to 112). A significant learning curve to successfully execute the critical steps of the SILS procedure was noted in all residents evaluated. Conclusion: SILS technology appears promising for the treatment of acute appendicitis. However, its successful incorporation into surgical training programs will depend on the development of innovative simulation strategies.