Cost Benefit Alternative to Single Access Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Introduction: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is an attractive approach for cholecystectomy. However, its widespread application has many limitations. A significant obstacle of application in developing countries is the expensive and non affordable specialized single port systems and roticulating instruments.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the glove port technique of trans-umbilical single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) performed by a single surgeon using the conventional laparoscopic instruments.

Methodology: 70 patients with symptomatic gall bladder stone disease were selected and underwent glove port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (GPLC). Patient’s demographic data, operative data, early postoperative complications, patient satisfaction score and wound measurement 3 months later, were documented and statistically analyzed.

Results: The mean operative time was 47.75 min. The mean estimated blood loss was 14.5 ml. No conversion of the technique occurred. Overall intra operative complication rate was 5.7%, while post operative complication rate was 4.2%.

Conclusion: On technical basis; we consider GPLC in selected cases; a safe, feasible and convenient, and cost effective method of SILC.