Single-incision multiport laparoendoscopic (SIMPLE) surgery: early evaluation of SIMPLE cholecystectomy in a community setting.

Background: Conventional Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is a safe, established procedure for gallbladder disease. This is usually performed through three to four small incisions. Although postoperative pain is minimal, there still exists some discomfort from multiple incisions. In theory, fewer incisions or incisionless surgery may decrease postoperative morbidity more than that already exists. Reports of microport instrumentation as well as normal orifice translumenal endosurgery (NOTES) cholecystectomy transvaginally, transcolonically, or transgastrically have recently surfaced. However, these require a different skill set and new technology, which is still in its developmental infancy. Single incision surgery has recently entered the minimally invasive arena.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy were performed with a single incision multiport technique as described below.

Results: All ten patients had a successful completion of a single incision multiport laparoendoscopic cholecystectomy without need for conversion to two, three, or four incisions. There were no complications and the recovery was comparable to a conventional LC.

Conclusion: We describe here a single incision multiport laparoendoscopic cholecystectomy (SIMPLE cholecystectomy) technique that is safe for the patient, reproducible, easy to learn, and uses commonly available instruments already in most operating rooms. Conversion, if required, is placement of the remaining two to three ports for a more conventional LC.