title: Transumbilical, single-port, totally extraperitoneal, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using a homemade port and a conventional instrument: an initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcome of a transumbilical, single-port, totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, using a homemade port and a conventional instrument.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients with inguinal hernias (including 20% with bilateral inguinal hernias) underwent a transumbilical, single-port, TEP laparoscopic hernia (LH) repair using a homemade port composed of a segment of corrugated anesthesia tube and a pair of surgical gloves. All operation procedures were done using conventional laparoscopic instruments with manually angled shafts in the same manner as standard multiple-port surgeries, but using the reverse hand technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the procedures were completed uneventfully and did not require additional ports. Operation times averaged 98.3 ± 26.7 minutes for the unilateral LH and 121.4 ± 13.5 minutes for the bilateral LH. There were no perioperative complications except for 2 patients (7%) who developed wound seromas, which resolved after conservative treatment. No hernia recurred during the 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A transumbilical, single-port, TEP laparoscopic hernioplasty using a homemade port and a conventional instrument permitted nearly scarless surgery for the treatment of inguinal hernias. Further studies are necessary before this approach can be recommended as a standard procedure.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tune-Yie
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Kuo-Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Kai-Yuan
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yih-Huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Uen
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000601:surgery