A randomised prospective comparative study between laparoscopic cholecystectomy and single port cholecystectomy in a major outpatient surgery unit

Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with that performed using single umbilical incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in a major outpatient surgery (MOS) unit. Material and methods: A total of 50 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were prospectively randomised between October 2009 and June 2011, with 26 of them subjected to SILS, and 24 to CL. The variables analysed were, postoperative pain, analgesia requirements, presence of nausea/vomiting, operation time, complications, outpatient success rate, and aesthetic results. Results: There were no differences as regards postoperative pain, analgesia rescue, nausea/vomiting, or operation time (SILS 54 +/- 21 min, CL 48.5 +/- 17 min, P = .29). There was one case of morbidity in the SILS group which required further surgery. The outpatient surgical procedure was completed in 77% of patients of the SILS group, and in 83% of the CL group. Six patients (23%) from the SILS group, and 4 (17%) from the CL group remained in the unit for more than 24 h (P = .58). The aesthetic results were subjectively assessed as very good in the SILS group, and good in the CL group. Conclusion: SILS cholecystectomy is feasible and safe when comparing it with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in selected patients, and obtains similar results when performed in a MOS unit. Larger studies are needed to determine the real benefits of this approach before recommending it as a routine technique. With more experienced surgical teams and greater awareness of the patients could possibly increase the number of candidates for outpatient cholecystectomy. (C) 2012 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana, S. L. All rights reserved.