Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A non-randomized, age-matched single center trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomies with standard four-port cholecystectomies.


METHODS
Between January 2011 and December 2012 datas were gathered from 100 consecutive patients who received a single-port cholecystectomy. Patient baseline characteristics of all 100 single-port cholecystectomies were collected (body mass index, age, etc.) in a database. This group was compared with 100 age-matched patients who underwent a conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the same period. Retrospectively, per- and postoperative data were added. The two groups were compared to each other using independent t-tests and χ(2)-tests, P values below 0.05 were considered significantly different.


RESULTS
No differences were found between both groups regarding baseline characteristics. Operating time was significantly shorter in the total single-port group (42 min vs 62 min, P < 0.05); in procedures performed by surgeons the same trend was seen (45 min vs 59 min, P < 0.05). Peroperative complications between both groups were equal (3 in the single-port group vs 5 in the multiport group; P = 0.42). Although not significant less postoperative complications were seen in the single-port group compared with the multiport group (3 vs 9; P = 0.07). No statistically significant differences were found between both groups with regard to length of hospital stay, readmissions and mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy has the potential to be a safe technique with a low complication rate, short in-hospital stay and comparable operating time. Single-port cholecystectomy provides the patient an almost non-visible scar while preserving optimal quality of surgery. Further prospective studies are needed to prove the safety of the single-port technique.
Yoen TK van der Linden, Koop Bosscha, Hubert A Prins, Daniel J Lips, Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 5223 GZ 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Yoen Tk
YT
van der Linden
Yoen TK van der Linden, Koop Bosscha, Hubert A Prins, Daniel J Lips, Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 5223 GZ 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Koop
K
Bosscha
Yoen TK van der Linden, Koop Bosscha, Hubert A Prins, Daniel J Lips, Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 5223 GZ 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Hubert A
HA
Prins
Yoen TK van der Linden, Koop Bosscha, Hubert A Prins, Daniel J Lips, Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 5223 GZ 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Daniel J
DJ
Lips
Cholecystectomy; Feasibility; Laparoscopy; Minimal invasive; Safety; Single-port