Single-incision versus conventional three-incision laparoscopic appendectomy: a single centre experience.

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Techniques
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a standard surgical procedure.
• Single-incision LA is an emerging technique aiming to reduce invasiveness.
• Comparing outcomes between single-incision and conventional LA is crucial for surgical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the short-term outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) versus conventional three-incision LA.
• To evaluate operative outcomes including recovery time, blood loss, and hospital stay.
• To assess the cosmetic results of both LA techniques.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted comparing two LA techniques.
• Data were collected from patients who underwent LA between January 2009 and November 2010.
• Operative outcomes were analyzed for 44 patients (27 single-incision, 17 three-incision).

Main Results:

• Single-incision LA showed a trend towards faster resumption of oral intake (1.1 vs. 1.5 days).
• No significant differences were observed in blood loss or hospital stay between the groups.
• Cosmetic results were superior in the single-incision LA group due to a well-concealed scar.

Conclusions:

• Both single-incision and conventional LA are effective and minimally invasive surgical options.
• Single-incision LA may lead to faster patient recovery and improved cosmetic outcomes.
• Further large-scale studies are necessary to confirm these findings and assess safety for all appendectomy indications.