title: Two-incision three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A feasible and safe technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) involves the use of four ports, but the number of ports has gradually been reduced to one for cosmetic reasons. however, single-incision LC is technically demanding, and there is a substantial learning curve associated with its successful application. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a less demanding alternative LC technique with a faster learning curve.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective descriptive study was performed from September 2009 to February 2011 at Sultanah Bahiyah hospital in Kedah, Malaysia. A total of 58 patients underwent two-incision threeport laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC), which was performed by the senior consultant hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and two hepato-pancreato-biliary trainees. Study end points included operative time, postoperative pain, length of hospital stay and early postoperative complications. The follow-up period was 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall operative time taken was 44 ± 18 minutes. none of the patients had major complication or incisional hernia postoperatively. All but one of the patients were discharged within 24 h. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the main postoperative analgesic used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TILC is feasible and safe cholecystectomy technique.
authors.affiliation: Science University of Malaysia (USM), Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Penang and Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia. leowvm@amdi.usm.edu.my.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.affiliation: Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Faizah
authors.affiliation: Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohd Sharifudin
authors.affiliation: Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Letchumanan
authors.affiliation: Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Department of General Surgery, Division of Surgery, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Unit, Kedah, Malaysia.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Manisekar