Single-incision laparoscopic surgery in children: initial single-center experience.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In continued efforts to further improve the advantages of minimally invasive surgery to patients, surgeons have developed single-incision laparoscopic techniques. We report our initial experience in children with a variety of single-site procedures.

METHOD:

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a single-site procedure from April 2009 to April 2010.

RESULTS:

There were 142 consecutive procedures: 24 cholecystectomies, 103 appendectomies for nonperforated appendicitis, 2 splenectomies, 1 combined splenectomy/cholecystectomy, 8 ileocecectomies, 2 Meckel diverticulectomies, 1 small bowel duplication resection, and 1 jejunal stricture resection. There were 12 conversions to conventional laparoscopy: 10 during appendectomy and 2 during cholecystectomy. Mean operative time was 34 minutes for appendectomy, 73 minutes for cholecystectomy, 90 minutes for splenectomy, 116 minutes for combined splenectomy/cholecystectomy, 86 minutes for ileocecectomy, and 43 minutes for the small bowel procedures. The only complications were umbilical surgical site infections after appendectomy in 6 patients.

CONCLUSION:

This institution's preliminary experience suggests that single-incision laparoscopic surgery in children has at least comparable outcomes to conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, prospective data are needed to prove that single-incision laparoscopic surgery is superior to conventional laparoscopy.

• Authors: Carissa L Garey, Carrie A Laituri, Daniel J Ostlie, Charles L Snyder, Walter S Andrews, G Whit Holcomb 3rd, Shawn D St Peter
• Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery (J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 46 Issue 5 Pg. 904-7 (May 2011) ISSN: 1531-5037 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21616250 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Child
• Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic (methods)
• Digestive System Surgical Procedures (methods)
• Esthetics
• Hospitals, Pediatric (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Laparoscopy (methods)
• Retrospective Studies
• Splenectomy (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Umbilicus