title: Laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy: a safe and reproducible alternative.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy via the three-trocar technique is widely used for symptomatic gallbladder stones. In this article, we describe the initial experience with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February and April 2009, patients referred for cholecystectomy to the General Surgery Unit of our institution who agreed to undergo LESS were included in a prospective study. All operations were performed by the same surgical team that was specially trained in this type of surgery. The umbilicus was the sole point of entry for all patients. The same operative technique was used in all patients. Data of patients undergoing LESS cholecystectomy were compared with those from an uncontrolled group of patients undergoing standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The LESS and standard cholecystectomy groups included 19 patients each. LESS was successfully performed in all patients and none required conversion to an open procedure or a conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy by adding more entry ports. The median operating time of 62 minutes in the LESS group was not significantly different than that in the standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LESS cholecystectomy was technically feasible, safe, and represents a reproducible alternative to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Hospital Clinic i Provincial de Barcelona Villarroel 170, Escalera 9-4 Planta Barcelona, 08036 Spain. ovidal@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Espert
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ginesta
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jimeno
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Guerson
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benarroch
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garcia-Valdecasas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures