title: Single-incision transumbilical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has been gaining popularity due to its simplicity and outstanding results. This procedure is no exception to attempts aimed at minimizing abdominal port access. In this article, the senior author (AAS) presents his technique for an entirely transumbilical single-incision approach where no extraumbilical incisions are necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies using this single-incision, totally transumbilical technique. The same surgeon (AAS) performed all surgical interventions. The same perioperative protocol and operative techniques were implemented for all the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 7 single-incision transumbilical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies were successfully performed using this technique. Two patients required lysis of adhesions, and 1 patient underwent an umbilical hernia repair during the procedure. Mean operating time was 143 minutes. One of the patients required the insertion of an additional trocar. There were no mortalities or postoperative complications noted during the mean follow-up period of 1.5 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy performed entirely through the umbilicus is safe, technically feasible, and reproducible.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Michigan State University, Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA. Saber@kcms.msu.edu
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saber
authors.forename: Tarek H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: El-Ghazaly
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014472:Umbilicus; D055815:Young Adult