Single incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - An initial experience at Mayo Hospital,Lahore

Aim: to evaluate the clinical outcome after single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. study design: descriptive case study place and duration of study: west surgical unit,king edward medical university and mayo hospital lahore over a period of 1 year from july 2010 to june 2011. method: a total number of 50 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were admitted. after taking informed consent and preoperative preparation all of them underwent single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a 5mm telescope with 30 degree angulation (karl storz endoscopy,inc,culver city,california,usa) and roticulator instruments with an endocone port. postoperatively pain scores,hospital stay and operative times were recorded on a structured proforma. follow-up was done at 2 weeks,6 weeks and 6 months after the procedure. results: in 50 consecutive patients single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done with an operative time range of 41-57 minutes and more than half (58%) of patients were discharged on the same day. most of the patients (94%) reported no or mild pain after the procedure. no deterioration of symptoms occurred during the follow up. conclusion: single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure which results in less postoperative pain,minimal analgesia requirement,fast recovery and early discharge from the hospital with better cosmetic results.