title: Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy performed above the pubic symphysis - a new scarless approach.
abstract: The three-port method is commonly used for laparoscopic appendectomy. To obtain a better cosmetic result, we have selected the single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy to be performed above the pubic symphysis. We performed six single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies above the pubic symphysis. During each operation, a 2 cm transverse incision was made in the pubic hair area 3-4 cm above the pubic symphysis. A 5 mm trocar was then placed as an observation port with another two 5 mm trocars as main- and side-operating ports. The laparoscopic appendectomy was performed using this single-incision method. Six patients (five male and one female; body mass indexes of 18.07, 19.27, 21.67, 18.34, 26.83 and 22.46 kg/m(2), respectively) underwent successful single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy above the pubic symphysis. Operating times were recorded at 55, 58, 47, 51, 42 and 33 minutes, the corresponding post-operative anal ventilation times were 25, 24, 22, 18, 7 and 10 hours, while post-operative hospitalization periods stand at 3, 5, 2, 1, 3 and 2 days, respectively. No complications occurred during or post-operation. Our initial work shows that a single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy performed above the pubic symphysis is feasible and safe and yields excellent post-operative cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Y N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.forename: G X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011631:Pubic Symphysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult