Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: evidence from randomized...

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes Research
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) is increasingly adopted.
• Limited high-quality comparative data exists between SPLA and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA).
• Existing studies often have small sample sizes and variable results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze evidence comparing SPLA and CLA.
• To evaluate operative parameters, postoperative outcomes, and complication rates.
• To provide an evidence-based comparison of the two appendectomy techniques.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review identifying comparative studies of SPLA and CLA.
• Meta-analysis of operative time, postoperative pain, return to diet, flatus, inflammatory markers, cosmetic satisfaction, and hospital stay.
• Evaluation of overall complication rates.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies with 1560 patients were included.
• SPLA was associated with significantly longer operative times (P=0.001).
• No significant differences were found in postoperative pain, recovery metrics, inflammatory markers, cosmetic satisfaction, hospital stay, or overall complication rates between SPLA and CLA.

Conclusions:

• SPLA does not demonstrate superiority over CLA in terms of postoperative outcomes or complications.
• The increased operative time for SPLA is a notable difference.
• Current evidence does not support routine use of SPLA over standard CLA; further studies on cost are warranted.