Single incision laparoscopic total colectomy and proctocolectomy for benign disease: initial experience

Aim This paper presents our initial experience of single incision laparoscopic total colectomy and proctocolectomy. Method Four female patients (mean age 35.5 years; mean body mass index 24.7 kg/m(2)) underwent total colectomy with end ileostomy (n = 2) and proctocolectomy with stapled ileum pouch-anal (n = 1) and rectal (n = 1) anastomosis with loop ileostomy, for benign disease, using a single-incision laparoscopic approach. The single port was placed at the umbilicus or the ileostomy site. Specimen extraction was through the port site. Results Operative procedures were performed with a mean operative time of 212 min, mean blood loss of 30 ml and no intraoperative complication. No additional abdominal ports were required. A postoperative ileus (n = 1) on day three resolved spontaneously and the. mean hospital stay was 4.5 days. Conclusion Single-incision laparoscopic total colectomy or proctocolectomy is feasible for benign disease in selected patients.