Single-incision laparoscopically assisted colectomy using standard laparoscopic instrumentation.

Background: A prospective case series of transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic colectomies using conventional laparoscopic trocars and instruments is described.

Methods: Seven selected patients with colonic neoplasm underwent transumbilical SIL colectomy between November 2008 and March 2009. Three trocars via a single small umbilical incision were used. The bowel was mobilized and the vessels ligated intracorporeally with an extracorporeal anastomosis.

Results: This series of seven patients (6 men and 1 woman) had no conversion to standard multiport laparoscopy or open surgery. Six of the patients had pathology in the right colon, and one had a carcinoma at the splenic flexure. The patients had an average age of 71 years (range, 63-83 years) and an average body mass index (BMI) of 24.3 kg/m(2) (range, 21-28 kg/m(2)). The average operating time was 89 min (range, 75-115 min). No significant blood loss or complications occurred. The average length of hospital stay was 5.4 days (range, 4-11 days). The average incision length was 3.1 cm (range, 2.5-4.5 cm). Histopathology showed adequate tumor excision margins and an average lymph node yield of 15 nodes (range, 7-26 nodes).

Conclusions: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for colectomy is feasible. It can be performed without specialized instrumentation and at no extra cost. Further evaluation is required.