title: Public perception of "scarless" laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the public perception of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) according to the age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire about the desire for cosmesis and the preference for LESS in treatment of benign gynecologic diseases was provided to healthy volunteers (n=102). The survey participants were divided into two age groups (young women ≤40 years and middle-aged women >40 years). The desire for cosmesis was assessed using a validated scale, Body Image Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the participants completed the questionnaire. The Body Image Scale scores were not different between the two age groups (11.5±3.5 vs. 11.8±4.0, P=0.656). The most common fear of surgery was the risk of complications in both age groups (69% in the young age group and 65% in the middle-aged group). Unless the operative risk increased, most of the participants (61% to 67%) in both age groups preferred LESS. Their choice was influenced by reduced scarring (43% to 61%), more safety (20% to 39%), reduced postoperative pain (8% to 10%), and new technology (4% to 6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, there was no difference in the desire for cosmesis and perception of LESS according to the age. Therefore, physicians should discuss and consider LESS even in middle-aged women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Doo Haeng
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Su Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Taejong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo Young
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyo Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kye Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Age; Cosmesis; Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery; Laparoscopy; Perception