title: Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy in children: single center experience in 50 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent years evolution of minimal invasive laparoscopic procedures led to new techniques, like single-port laparoscopy (SPL), resulting in nearly-scarless procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate that SPL appendectomy is a safe and feasible procedure using a commercially available trocar (LESS: Laparo Endoscopic Single Site trocar; Olympus TriPort+) in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2011 to March 2014 all patients undergoing SPL appendectomy under 18 years were included in this retrospective study. Per- en postoperative data were collected in a prospective database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 50 children (mean age 12 years) diagnosed as acute appendicitis underwent SPL appendectomy. SPL appendectomy was feasible and safe in all cases, both in non-perforated and perforated appendicitis. In one procedure (2%) an extra trocar was placed. Seven patients (14%) were readmitted to the hospital after initial uncomplicated postoperative course. One patient (2%) needed reoperation due to a wound abscess. Three patients (6%) were readmitted due to intra-abdominal abscesses for which antibiotics were given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPL appendectomy is a safe and feasible procedure in children with acute appendicitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital,'s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y T K
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: van der Linden
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boersma
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Poll
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lips
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Prins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome