title: Prospective, randomized comparative study between single-port laparoscopic appendectomy and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic appendectomy is probably the technique of choice in acute appendicitis. Single port laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been proposed as an alternative technique. The objective of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of SILS against conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (LA).
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2011 to September 2012, 120 patients with acute appendicitis were prospectively randomized; 60 for SILS and 60 for LA. Patients between 15 to 65 years were selected, with onset of symptoms less than 48h. We compared BMI, surgery time, start of oral intake, hospital stay, postoperative pain, pathology and costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age, BMI, sex and time of onset of symptoms to diagnosis were similar. There were no statistically significant differences in the operative time, start of oral intake or hospital stay. There was a significant difference in postoperative pain being higher in SILS (4±1.3) than in LA (3.3±0.5) with a P=.004. Flemonous appendicitis predominated in both groups in a similar percentage. A total of 3 cases with intra-abdominal abscess (SILS 2, LA 1) required readmission and resolved spontaneously with intravenous antibiotic treatment. One case of SILS required assistance by a 5mm trocar in the RLC for drainage placement. The cost was higher in SILS due the single port device.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SILS appendectomy is safe, effective and has similar results to LA in selected patients, and although the cost is greater, the long term results will determine the future of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España. Electronic address: rafovilla26@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villalobos Mori
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escoll Rufino
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Herrerías González
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España.
authors.forename: M Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mias Carballal
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escartin Arias
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lérida, España.
authors.forename: Jorge Juan
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Olsina Kissler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute appendicitis; Apendicectomía laparoscópica; Apendicitis aguda; Cirugía mínimamente invasiva; Cirugía por puerto único; Laparoscopia; Laparoscopic appendectomy; Laparoscopy; Minimally invasive surgery; Single port surgery