Bowel Resection Through a Single Umbilical Incision: A Case Series.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopy has transformed surgery by minimizing incisions, yet some open surgery benefits like tactile sensation are lost.
• Single incision laparoscopic-assisted surgery (SILS) aims to integrate the advantages of both open and laparoscopic techniques.
• While SILS is common for appendectomies, its application in complex bowel resections requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single incision laparoscopic-assisted surgery (SILS) for bowel resections in pediatric patients.
• To present the experience and outcomes of utilizing SILS for various bowel resection procedures in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 11 pediatric patients undergoing SILS bowel resections over three years.
• Procedures included sigmoidectomies, small bowel atresia repairs, subtotal colectomy, Meckel's diverticulectomy, and bowel duplication resections.
• A 10mm scope was used via the umbilicus; bowel was exteriorized for open dissection, resection, and anastomosis, then returned to the abdomen.

Main Results:

• All 11 patients recovered promptly without requiring further intervention.
• No instances of wound infection, anastomotic leak, or intra-abdominal abscesses were reported.
• Excellent cosmetic results were achieved with a single small umbilical scar.

Conclusions:

• Single incision laparoscopic-assisted surgery (SILS) is a feasible and safe approach for select pediatric bowel resections.
• The technique preserves benefits of open surgery while offering superior cosmesis compared to traditional laparoscopy or open procedures.