Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The aim of this study was to examine the inauguration of single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) for un-complicated appendicitis and demonstrate its efficacy and safety.
METHODS:
Thirty-two patients who underwent single-port laparoscopic appendectomy between January 2014 and December 2014 were compared retrospectively with 20 prior consecutive patients who underwent surgery in the three-port manner. Length of hospital stay, operative time, conversion rate, and complications were used as the indicators of effective implementation.
RESULTS:
Demographics were similar between the single-port and three-port groups. In the SILA series, operative duration was unchanged after the first 10 cases. An operative duration less than that of the conventional three-port method could be achieved after 30 cases
CONCLUSIONS:
Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and feasible procedure. The learning curve could be overcome safely without major complications. Our preliminary analysis showed that 30 cases are sufficient to achieve an equivalent operative duration compared with conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy.