Is routine single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy feasible? A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has been shown to be safe for uncomplicated gallbladder diseases. Routinely applying SILC is debatable.

METHODS: Two hundred SILCs were performed with single-incision multiple-port longitudinal-array and self-camera techniques.

RESULTS: Eighty-eight (44%) procedures were scheduled for complicated diseases. The routine group had a higher comorbidity rate, a lower preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography rate, a higher intraoperative cholangiography rate, a higher proportion of complicated gallbladder diseases, shorter operative time, more intraoperative blood loss, and lower postoperative pethidine dose than the selective group (the first 73 patients). The conversion and complication rates showed no statistical difference. It took fewer cases but longer time to pass the learning phase of SILC for complicated gallbladder diseases. The multivariate analysis showed that male sex and complicated gallbladder diseases were associated with a higher procedure conversion rate, and increased patient age was related to a higher complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS: Routine SILC for benign gallbladder diseases is feasible in the experienced phase. Practicing SILC for uncomplicated gallbladder diseases helps to achieve competence in this technique for complicated diseases.