Laparoscopic bariatric surgery can be performed through a single incision: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Bariatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) application in bariatric surgery has been historically limited to less complex procedures.
• This study investigates the short-term outcomes of SILS for sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the short-term outcomes of SILS SG and RYGB with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) in morbidly obese patients.
• To assess the feasibility and potential benefits of SILS in bariatric procedures.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 28 morbidly obese patients undergoing SILS SG (n=14) and RYGB (n=14).
• A matched control group of 28 patients who underwent CLS was used for comparison.
• SILS involved a single 2.5-3 cm intra-umbilical incision with three trans-fascial ports and liver suspension.

Main Results:

• Patient demographics, procedure types, and comorbidities were comparable between SILS and CLS groups.
• No significant differences were observed in estimated blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, or 90-day complication rates.
• SILS patients reported significantly lower pain scores on postoperative days 1 and 2, with high cosmetic satisfaction.
• No reoperations or 90-day readmissions were required in the SILS group.

Conclusions:

• Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a feasible approach for carefully selected bariatric patients.
• Short-term outcomes of SILS in bariatric surgery are comparable to conventional laparoscopic surgery.
• Potential advantages of SILS include reduced postoperative pain and improved cosmetic results.