Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Inflexible Laparoscopic Instruments and Laparoscopy: a Single-Center Experience

Since being introduced by Mühe in 1985, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has garnered global acceptance and defined as gold standard treatment for benign gallbladder diseases (BGDs). Minimally invasive surgery technique was applied in a spectrum of surgeries including LC, namely single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC), initially reported by Navarra in 1997. By then this technique developed dramatically in aspects of both operation and instruments. Previous experiences with SILC across various centers have consistently demonstrated its robust safety and feasibility. Numerous clinical trials have highlighted the benefits of SILC over conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC), particularly in terms of promoted aesthetic outcomes, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays.However, discrepancies in postoperative complications including incisional hernias have sparked debate regarding the merits and drawbacks of SILC. Consequently, further research is urgent with larger cohorts and extended postoperative follow-up periods for a definitive assessment of SILC.

In the present study LC was performed in cases from January 2023 to March 2024, aiming to compare the overall outcomes and complications between CLC and SILC. All surgical instruments and laparoscopy were introduced through a single intraumbilical incision in SILC group, allowing the resultant scar to be discreetly concealed within the reconstructed navel. Furthermore, historical implementations of SILC have predominantly utilized specialized and novel instruments. This reliance on special equipment limited the technique's applicability and benefits in settings with more rudimentary clinical facilities. The authors successfully applied conventional laparoscopic instruments and a 10mm laparoscopy with straight and inflexible properties and simplified the surgical process. Moreover, the single-incision port used were made on site from basic stuffs and materials easily obtained from operation room.