title: The voice of Holland: Dutch public and patient's opinion favours single-port laparoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Single-port laparoscopy is prospected as the future of minimal invasive surgery. It is hypothesised to cause less post operative pain, with a shorter hospitalisation period and improved cosmetic results. Population- and patient-based opinion is important for the adaptation of new techniques. This study aimed to assess the opinion and perception of a healthy population and a patient population on single-port laparoscopy compared with conventional laparoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous 33-item questionnaire, describing conventional and single-port laparoscopy, was given to 101 patients and 104 healthy volunteers. The survey participants (median age 44 years; range 17-82 years) were asked questions about their personal situation and their expectations and perceptions of the two different surgical techniques; conventional multi-port laparoscopy and single-port laparoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 72% of the participants had never heard of single-port laparoscopy before. The most important concern in both groups was the risk of surgical complications. When complication risks remain similar, 80% prefers single-port laparoscopy to conventional laparoscopy. When the risk of complications increases from 1% to 10%, 43% of all participants prefer single-port laparoscopy. A total of 70% of the participants are prepared to receive treatment in another hospital if single-port surgery is not performed in their hometown hospital. The preference for single-port approach was higher in the female population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although cure and safety remain the main concerns, the population and patients group have a favourable perception of single-port surgery. The impact of public opinion and patient perception towards innovative techniques is undeniable. If the safety of the two different procedures is similar, this study shows a positive attitude of both participant groups in favour of single-port laparoscopy. However, solid scientific proof for the safety and feasibility of this new surgical technique needs to be obtained before this procedure can be implemented into everyday practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Atrium Medical Centre Heerlen, The Netherlands ; Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sofie Af
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Epm
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Broeders
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lps
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stassen
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nd
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bouvy
keywords: NOTES; questionnaire; single-port laparoscopy