A comprehensive review of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) techniques for cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND
Surgery of the gallbladder has evolved tremendously over the last century. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for gallbladder removal and the most common laparoscopic procedure worldwide. In recent times, innovative techniques of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) have been applied in gallbladder removal as a step towards even more less-invasive procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
While NOTES and SILS represent the advent of essentially scarless surgery, limited applications of these technologies in human subjects exists. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the potential benefits, limitations and risks of these novel techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
While much remains unknown and unanswered surrounding these procedures, it is clear that extensive research and development with regards to the ethics and the technical aspects of these procedures as well as randomized studies to compare them with traditional laparoscopy are essential.
Chamberlain
Ronald Scott
RS
Department of Surgery, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ 07039, USA. rchamberlain@sbhcs.com
Sakpal
Sujit Vijay
SV
D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014472:Umbilicus