title: Single-incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery, experience with 50 consecutive cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is one of the most recent developments in laparoscopic surgery. Having proven its effectiveness in cholecystectomy and appendectomy, the feasibility of SILS in more advanced surgery, such as hemicolectomy and low anterior resection, is now a point of discussion.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study reports on the results of the first 50 SILS colorectal operations at our institution. Twenty right hemicolectomies, 16 sigmoid resections, 9 low anterior resections, and 5 total colectomies were performed. Nineteen patients were operated for benign colonic diseases, 31 for malignant disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operative time was 130 min, and the median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. None of the procedures needed conversion to a laparotomy, but four patients were converted to a multiport laparoscopy. In one case, an anastomotic leakage occurred, which was treated by creating a diverting ileostomy laparoscopically. Minor complications were four wound infections and two incisional hernias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILS colectomy is a safe and feasible procedure even in more complex cases. Comparative studies are needed to demonstrate advantages over traditional laparoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, 6716 RP, Ede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: van den Boezem
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sietses
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057868:Anastomotic Leak / Q000209:etiology; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003092:Colitis / Q000601:surgery; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000601:surgery; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult