Single-incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy for acute Appendicitis using a 10-mm Laparoscope and the Glove Port Technique

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) using existing instruments, the 10-mm laparoscope, and glove port technique. METHODS SILA was performed on 16 patients (8 male cases, 8 female cases) between June 2012 and September 2015. A 20-mm incision was made in the umbilicus and a wound retractor was placed. A 10-mm trocar for the laparoscope and two 5-mm trocars were fixed to the three fingers of the latex gloves and it was attached to the wound retractor. Another thin forceps were inserted from right low abdomen. RESULTS Average age of patients was 32.6 ± 17.7 years. Preoperative average white blood cell was 13,325 ± 4,584 /mm3, and average CRP was 1.81 ± 3.70 mg/dL. Preoperative body temperature was 36.8 ± 0.5°C. The mean appendix size was 9.6 ± 2.3 mm and none of the patients had an abscess on preoperative CT. The CT also revealed a fecal pellet in 5/16 (31%) of patients. Mean operation time was 66.4 ± 25.4 minutes, and minimal intraoperative bleeding was observed in all patients. Average hospital stay was 5.3 ± 1.9 days and none of the patients had complications. CONCLUSION SILA using the 10-mm laparoscope and glove port technique may be a safe and feasible operation for mild to moderate appendicitis.