Single-port in urology

Single-port transumbilical laparoscopy has emerged as an attempt to further enhance cosmetic benefits and reduce morbidity of minimally invasive surgery. Within a short span, several clinical reports have emerged in the urologic literature. As this field is poised to move forward, a complete understanding of its evolution and current status seems imperative. We have summarized and reviewed the history of Single-Port across surgical disciplines. This review emphasizes nomenclature, surgical technique, instrumentation, and perioperative outcomes. Evidence acquisition. - Using the National Library of Medicine database, the English language literature was reviewed for the past 40 years. Keyword searches included scarless, scar free, single-port/trocar/incision, laparoendoscopic single site surgery intraumbilical, and transumbilical. Within the bibliography of selected references, additional sources were retrieved. Evidence synthesis. - The major findings and surgical techniques described in these papers, are summarized in a chronological and subject-grouped manner. Conclusions. - Single-port has made its initial forays into laparoscopic surgery. Ongoing refinement in technique and instrumentation is likely to expand its future role. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.