Single-fulcrum laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-incision and multi-port technique
Choi, S.H.; Hwang, H.K.; Kang, C.M.; Lee, W.J.
ANZ Journal of Surgery 82(7-8): 529-534
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1445-2197
PMID: 22776541
DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2012.06125.x
Accession: 036487200
Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still technically demanding and usually requires specially designed instruments. This article describes our own technique, a single-fulcrum LC using only standard ports and instruments. Between March 2009 and December 2010, 130 consecutive patients, all scheduled to undergo elective LC, underwent this single-fulcrum LC for benign gallbladder disease. Perioperative surgical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred and ten patients (84.6%) underwent successful single-fulcrum LC, and 20 patients (15.4%) were converted to conventional surgery (n= 18) or required additional trocars (n= 2) during the procedure because of umbilical hernia (n= 3), severe inflammation or adhesion (n= 9), impacted cystic duct stone (n= 3), anatomical anomaly (n= 3) and iatrogenic injury (n= 2). Two intraoperative complications (iatrogenic injury) were securely managed using additional trocars and there was no post-operative morbidity or mortality. This single-fulcrum LC could be performed with comparable cost to conventional LC, and the sequential operative time showed reasonable learning curve. Single-fulcrum LC is feasible, safe and quite reproducible. The surgical wound can be dramatically reduced at a similar cost to conventional LC. It may be an alternative procedure for most uncomplicated benign gallbladder disease.