title: Technical report on the initial cases of single-incision laparoscopic combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy in children, using conventional instruments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors report a technique to perform single-incision laparoscopic combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy in 3 children using conventional instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three ports, including 5-mm and 3-mm ports, were placed through an infraumbilical incision for the procedure. Splenectomy was completed in most parts by crossing the 2 straight instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3 patients, aged 11 to 13 years, with body weight 29 kg to 32 kg, underwent the procedure. In the first patient, 2 additional extraumbilical 5-mm ports were required to complete the splenectomy. After modification of the technique, combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy by SILS were successfully performed in the other 2 patients without complications, and postoperative courses were uneventful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy in children by SILS is technically feasible using conventional instruments. Further studies are required to investigate its safety, benefits over conventional laparoscopic surgery, and refinements in the technique.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. pyhtam@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yuk Him
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Kim Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kin Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jennifer Dart Yin
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sihoe
authors.forename: Sing Tak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Kristine Kit Yi
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome