Transumbilical Single-incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Harvesting Rib and Costal Cartilage

The study aimed to introduce a rib and costal cartilage harvesting surgery by transumbilical single-incision laparoscopy and evaluate its efficiency and safety.

Patients who underwent rib and costal cartilage harvest under different approaches (direct open approach and transumbilical) were collected in this retrospective study. The differences in the pain scores [visual analog scale (VAS)], postoperative appearance, and complications were compared between the two groups at 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after surgery. In addition, based on the minimal clinically important difference and the generalized estimating equation, the differences were compared between the two groups in terms of the VAS score.

On postoperative day 1, the VAS scores of the direct open approach group and the transumbilical group were significantly different, that is, 7.29 and 6.10, respectively (P < 0.001). Also, the generalized estimating equation results were different (P < 0.001). An interaction was observed between different groups and days, that is, a statistical difference was observed in the VAS score between the two groups (P < 0.001). In terms of aesthetics and complications, patients from the transumbilical group had no scars on the chest wall and no obvious postoperative complications.

Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic surgery is an innovative surgical approach for harvesting ribs and costal cartilage, which leaves no scars on the skin of the chest wall and has the advantages of slight postoperative pain, quick recovery, and fewer complications. This novel surgery is beneficial to patients with higher aesthetic requirements.