title: Single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) has gained enormous popularity worldwide. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess feasibility, safety, and benefits of SILA as compared with conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library was performed to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcome measures were total postoperative complications, wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, and ileus. Secondary outcome measures were operative time, length of hospital stay, pain scores, conversion rate, reoperation rate, and time to return to normal activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight RCTs, totaling 1,211 patients (604 for SILA and 607 for CLA), met the inclusion criteria. The incidences of total postoperative complications, wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, and ileus were statistically similar between the SILA and CLA groups. Compared with CLA, SILA was associated with a significantly longer operative time (weighted mean difference = 5.28 min; 95 % confidence interval = 3.61 to 6.94). Time to return to normal activity was shorter in the SILA group (by 0.69 days). Length of hospital stay, pain scores, conversion rate, and reoperation rate were similar between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILA is feasible and safe with no obvious advantages over CLA. Therefore, it may be considered as an alternative to CLA.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University of Medicine, 301 Yanchang Middle Road, Shanghai, 200072, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Tingsong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhenshun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003289:Convalescence; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D045823:Ileus / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D061646:Operative Time; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology