title: Mini-laparoscopic versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have reported faster recoveries, lower pain scores, and superior cosmetic results after mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC). The purpose of this study was to perform a randomized controlled trial, comparing MLC with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were randomized between the two groups: 23 having undergone LC and 18 MLC. The primary end point was postoperative pain, which was evaluated during the first 24 hours postoperatively, using the numerical rating scale. Patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result was evaluated after 1 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were comparable concerning age, sex, and body mass index. The median operating time (42 minutes versus 45 minutes; P=.386), complication rate, and duration of hospital stay (2 days; P=.611) were similar in both groups. The level of postoperative pain was analogous at every time. There was no difference in the analgesic requirements or cosmesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MLC showed similar results concerning postoperative pain and did not lead to a greater patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result, compared with LC. MLC did not take longer to perform, nor was it associated with major complications or a high conversion rate. MLC is a safe and feasible technique for the treatment of gallbladder disease in elective patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Sint-Lucas Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. luisfacarvalho@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luís Filipe Abreu
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fierens
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kint
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies