title: Patients' perceptions of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery: the cosmetic effect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery can be performed without apparent scarring, while maintaining the salutary benefits of conventional laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare patients' preoperative and postoperative perceptions of LESS surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and after undergoing LESS surgery, 120 patients were given questionnaires; their responses were assimilated and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 120 patients, 62% were female (age, 52 ± 16.6 y), and 54% had prior abdominal surgery. Preoperatively, women and older patients reported heightened appearance dissatisfaction. Preoperatively, most patients would not accept more risk, pain, surgery/recovery times, and/or costs than associated with standard laparoscopy. Postoperatively, patients reported increased satisfaction in their overall and abdominal region appearance. Satisfaction was noted by 92%; satisfaction was related significantly to scar appearance and cosmesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperatively, patients were most concerned with safety; postoperatively, patients' concerns shifted to cosmetic outcome. LESS surgery provides an opportunity for improved patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Center for Digestive Disorders, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL 33601, USA.
authors.forename: Farhaad C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Golkar
authors.forename: Sharona B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Steffanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sperry
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vice
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Luberice
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Donn
authors.forename: Connor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rosemurgy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D061214:Patient Safety; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires