Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: a Single-Centre Experience of 1469 Cases.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite having once been extensively used for cosmetics or pain reduction, the use of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has declined in recent years due to technical difficulties and a reported increase in complications. Since the introduction of SILC in 2009, our hospital has been actively involved with this technique. Our experience suggests that SILC is not a difficult procedure and can be safe and useful, with particularly excellent cosmetic outcomes. This study retrospectively details the outcomes of SILC at our hospital. METHOD: Data on 1469 cases of SILC performed on a waitlist basis at Osaka Police Hospital from May 2009 to December 2020 were collected and retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The median operative time and blood loss were 96 min and 0 mL, respectively. A total of 46 patients (3.1%) required conversion surgery, including 36 needing additional ports and 10 requiring laparotomy. Intraoperative complications included common bile duct injury in 1 patient (0.07%) and right hepatic artery injury in 1 patient (0.07%), with no other organ injury. Postoperative Clavien-Dindo 3 or higher complications were observed in 18 patients (1.2%). Incisional hernias occurred in 15 patients (1.0%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. CONCLUSION: This study showed that SILC can be performed safely without any increase in complications, as reported previously. Granted that it is performed safely, SILC may be a useful technique due to its superior cosmetic outcomes or pain reduction.