Triple, double- and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective study

Advances in laparoscopic techniques have enabled complicated intra-abdominal surgical procedures to be made with less trauma and a better cosmetic appearance. The techniques have been developed by decreasing the number of incisions in conventional laparoscopic procedures in order to increase patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to compare the results of cholecystectomies made with 3, 2 or a single incision.

A total of 95 cholecystectomy patients from Elbistan State Hospital and Suleyman Demirel University Hospital between 2011 and 2013 were prospectively evaluated. The patients were separated into 3 groups as triple incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC), double incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DILC) and single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). Patients were evaluated in respect of demographic characteristics, operation time, success rate, analgesia requirement, length of hospital stay and patient satisfaction.

Successful procedures were completed in 40 TILC, 40 DILC and 15 SILC cases. Transfer to open cholecystectomy was not required in any case. The mean duration of operation was 71 mins (range, 55-120 mins) for SILC cases, 45 mins (range, 32-125 mins) for DILC cases and 42 mins (range, 29-96 mins) for TILC cases. The mean time for the SILC cases was statistically significantly longer than the other two groups (p < 0.000).

At a comparable level with DILC and TILC, single incision laparosccopic cholecystectomy is a method which can be used without incurring any extra costs or requiring additional instrumentation or training and which has good cosmetic results and a low requirement for analgesia.