Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Conventional Instruments

INTRODUCTION: As in the modern era of laparoscopic surgery the moving trend has been towards performing less and less invasive techniques. Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is a simple and reliable technique in selected cases and with experience hands in advanced laparoscopic surgery. The greatest advantage of this technique is cosmesis and less post-operative pain. AIMS &OBJECTIVE: To share our initial experience in the field of single incision laparoscopic surgery in term of feasibility, safety and potential benefits with regards to cosmetics, postoperative pain and over all patient satisfaction MATERIALS & METHODS: We studied 25 patients with chronic cholecystitis to underwent SILC over the period of 1 1⁄2 year at our institute using conventional laparoscopic instruments with exclusion of acute cholecystitis, obese patient (BMI >40 KG/M2), Previous upper gastrointestinal tract surgery, shrunken gall bladder on USG, Poor cardio-pulmonary reserve, Suspicion of carcinoma gallbladder, CBD pathology which warranted open surgery. OBSERVATIONS & RESULTS: 1 out of 25 patient required addition of one port. Rest all the patients had benefits of less postoperative pain (less than 3 VAS), less postoperative analgesia (less than two doses) and short hospital stay (less than 24 hour) and better cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with SILC demonstrates its feasibility and supports the promise of minimizing further the access of laparoscopic surgery in selected cases and with experience hands in advanced laparoscopic surgery. The clear advantage is its cosmetic benefit.