title: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy: meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to analyze systematically the randomized, controlled trials that compared single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The meta-analysis was conducted according to the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analysis (QUORUM) standards. The included studies were analyzed systematically using the statistical software package RevMan. The summated outcomes were expressed as the risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous variables and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven randomized trials encompassing 858 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases. In the random effects model, postoperative pain, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, cosmesis score, conversion rate, and time to return to normal activities were statistically comparable between the two cholecystectomy techniques. SILC was associated with a longer operating time [SMD 0.71; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.38, 1.05; z = 4.18; p < 0.0001) and an increased requirement for additional port insertion (RR 6.54; 95 % CI 2.19, 19.57; z = 3.36; p < 0008). However, there was significant heterogeneity among the trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILC does not offer any advantage over CLC for treating benign gallbladder disorders. CLC may be used assiduously for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, Washington Suite, North Wing, West Sussex, BN11 2DH, UK. surgeon1wrh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Muhammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sajid
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ladwa
authors.forename: Lorain
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: Kristian K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hutson
authors.forename: Krishna K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Mazin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sayegh
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic