10-Year Experience with 1700 Single-Incision Laparoscopies

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopy (SIL) was initially reported in the mid-1900's, but remained unpopular until the arrival of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery. It was described not only for surgery involving the digestive system, but also for breast, thoracic, urologic, gynecologic and pediatric surgery. Various studies have proven its feasibility, safety and effectiveness. This report describes the 10-year experience with SIL of a single surgeon at a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 2009 to May 2019, 1700 abdominal SILs were performed, including: cholecystectomy (475), inguinal hernia repair (319), incisional/ventral hernia repair (293), appendectomy (226), colorectal surgery (158), fundoplication/diaphragmatic hernia repair (72), gastric surgery (54), diagnostic laparoscopy (42), liver surgery (18), small bowel resection (15), splenectomy (12), adrenalectomy (6), gynecologic surgery (6), pancreatic surgery (2), and urologic surgery (2). Three types of incision/access-site were adopted. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were considered. The following outcomes were evaluated: laparoscopic operative time, operative bleeding, supplementary scars or trocars for improved exposure of the operative field and/or control of perioperative complications, final incision length, hospital stay, postoperative pain during hospitalization and after discharge, early and late access-site complications and other early and late general complications. RESULTS: While there were no conversions to open surgery or conventional laparoscopy, a supplementary millimetric instrument or a 5-mm trocar was needed in 27.8% and 0.5% of cases, respectively. No operative or postoperative mortalities were registered. The mean final incision length was between 13.1 and 21.0 mm at the umbilicus, between 43.3 and 57.2 mm suprapubically, and between 21.4 and 36.3 mm in another abdominal quadrant. Postoperative pain decreased from the first hours until the end of hospitalization. The percentage of patients who required an analgesic drug for more than 5 days after discharge ranged between 0 and 16.6%. The early access-site complication rate was 7.5%, and the access-site incisional hernia rate was 1.3%. The other early general complication rate was 10.7%, and reoperation was required in 1.4%. The other late general complication rate was 0.7%, and reoperation was required in 0.5%. CONCLUSION: SIL is a laparoscopic technique that can safely be offered to patients presenting abdominal diseases. The main advantages include enhanced cosmetic results and reduced abdominal trauma. The main disadvantages are patient selection, a longer operative time for some procedures, and a need to expose the operative field for some other procedures.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActif