title: Prospective randomized comparative study of single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conventional four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to compare the outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) versus conventional 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).
  
  
  METHODS
  From November 2009 to August 2010, 51 patients with symptomatic gallstone or gallbladder polyps were randomized to SILC (n = 24) or 4-port LC (n = 27).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean surgical time (43.5 vs 46.5 min), median blood loss (1 vs 1 mL) and mean hospital stay (1.5 vs 1.8 d) were similar for both the SILC and 4-port LC group. There were no open conversions and no major complications. The mean total wound length of the SILC group was significantly shorter (1.76 vs 2.25 cm). The median visual analogue pain score at 6 hours after surgery was similar (4.5 vs 4.0) but the SILC group had a significantly worse pain score on day 7 (1 vs 0). There was no difference in time to resume usual activity (mean, 5.6 vs 5.0 d). The median cosmetic score of SILC was significantly higher than at 3 months after surgery (7 vs 6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILC was feasible and safe for properly selected patients in experienced hands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, 3 Lok Man Rd., Chai Wan, Hong Kong SAR, China. ericlai@alumni.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Eric C H
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: George P C
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chung Ngai
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Patricia C L
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Yih
authors.forename: Oliver C Y
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Michael K W
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D011127:Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome