Single port utility in laparoscopic appendectomy

Abstract

Objective: To describe the utility of single port laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with acute appendicitis admitted to Hospital General del Este Dr. Domingo Luciani, between June 2011 and October 2012.

Method: A descriptive, prospective, single-center monitoring in order to evaluate the usefulness of single port laparoscopic appendectomy in addition to its benefits and complications, whose sample consisted of 25 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Results: There were 25 single port appendectomies for a period of 16 months. The time of onset of symptoms in the majority was 24 ± 8 hours, predominantly flegmonous appendices by 64% compared to surgical findings. The operative time was 37 ± 8 minutes. Not required conversion to open surgery was needed or placing additional trocars other. Pain intensity was reported by the visual analog scale (VAS) where the maximum to the 1st hour was 3 to 6 hours of 10, after 12 hours of 8, and 24 hours of 3. The incidence of intraoperative complications was low with 4% in terms of postoperative complications was obtained by 20% representing 5 cases with surgical site infection and 1 case with appendiceal stump dehiscence. Ligation of the base of the appendix was performed by endoloop® 80% and 20% endolinear articulable cutting machine echelon® 60 mm blue load. Mean hospital stay was 37 ± 8 hours.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendectomy can be achieved through a single umbilical incision and conventional instruments, it is also a simple, effective and easily reproducible considerably decreases postoperative pain and hospital stay.