A technique for gall bladder fundal traction in single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The last 2 years have seen numerous reports on single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in the surgical literature. Achieving an appropriate fundal traction is one among the many technical challenges while performing a SILS cholecystectomy. We describe herein an innovative method of suture traction of gall bladder fundus during SILS cholecystectomy.

Prospective data of patients who underwent SILS cholecystectomy from July 2009 to till date in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at Manipal Institute of Liver and Digestive Diseases, Bangalore, were analyzed.

Twenty-eight patients, 8 male and 20 female patients, with the age ranging from 24 to 62 years have undergone SILS cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. The suture technique described herein was performed in the last 25 patients. There was no complication related to the use of this suture technique.

Technological innovations would ultimately find an easier solution for gall bladder retraction in SILS cholecystectomy. Till such time we believe that the suture technique described herein would offer the most satisfactory fundal traction during SILS cholecystectomy and would find application in the vast majority of patients undergoing SILS cholecystectomy. In addition, this technique could be extended for application in a variety of other SILS procedures.