Appendicectomy and Cholecystectomy Using Single-incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS): the First UK Experience

Introduction: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has the potential advantages of reduced postoperative pain and reduced port-site complications. Careful attention to closure can lead to virtually "scarless" surgery. In this article, we present our first experiences with SILS appendicectomy and cholecystectomy.

Method: SILS appendicectomy and cholecystectomy was performed in 12 and 14 patients, respectively. Data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively from case notes and the theater database.

Results: The average operating times were 61.3 and 142.9 minutes for SILS appendicectomy and SILS cholecystectomy, respectively. There was a good correlation between increasing experience and a reduction in operative time with Pearson's coefficient being -1 for appendicectomy and -0.56 for cholecystectomy. There were no postoperative complications in the SILS appendicectomy group. One patient in the SILS cholecystectomy group suffered a postoperative biliary leak from an accessory duct of Lushka.

Conclusions: In our series, we have demonstrated SILS to be a safe and efficacious method for appendicectomy and cholecystectomy. Further studies are required to investigate any potential advantages of this method over standard laparoscopic techniques.