title: Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy without using special articulating instruments: an initial experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) was introduced as a novel minimally invasive technique. The benefits of this technique include reducing number of the incision and cosmetic improvement. Unlike the conventional laparoscopic colectomy, majority of previously reported SILC need to be performed using special curved or articulated instruments. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate our initial experience of SILC, which could be performed using the standard laparoscopic instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 14 patients who underwent SILC at Siriraj Hospital from May to December 2010, patient's demographic data, perioperative outcomes, early postoperative complications and pathological data were collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of all patients was 60 years. The most common operation with SILC was sigmoidectomy (n = 9), followed by right hemicolectomy (n = 2), left hemicolectomy (n = 1), anterior resection (n = 1), and total colectomy (n = 1). The trocar insertion techniques were multi-fascial incision using regular port (n = 11) and GelPOINT(®) (n = 3). The mean operative time was 155 minutes (range 90-280) and the mean estimate blood loss was 32.1 mL (range 10-100). All patients were successfully operated without conversion. The mean length of hospital stay was 9 days (range 5-20). There was no mortality. The pathological results revealed colorectal cancer (n = 12), neoplastic polyp (n = 1) and Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) (n = 1). The mean number of lymph nodes retrieval was 16.6 (range 3-34).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILC can successfully and safely be performed with standard laparoscopic instruments. This technique might be an alternative procedure to conventional laparoscopic colectomy with better cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
authors.forename: Atthaphorn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trakarnsanga
authors.forename: Thawatchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akaraviputh
authors.forename: Pakpong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wathanaoran
authors.forename: Chainarong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phalanusitthepha
authors.forename: Asada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Methasate
authors.forename: Vitoon
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chinswangwattanakul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult