Periumbilical vs transumbilical laparoscopic incision: A patients' satisfaction-centered randomised trial.

Background: While studies suggested that transumbilical incisions (TUI) incur better postoperative cosmetic satisfaction scores (CSS) and shorter operative time (OT) than periumbilical incisions (PUI) during general surgery laparoscopic interventions, others did not. Concerns have been raised toward the potential negative impact of TUI on the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) but this issue is under documented.

Methods: A controlled trial was conducted between August 2014 and August 2015 in our hospital. Individuals aged 18-70 undergoing a laparoscopic rectopexy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy or proctocolectomy were considered. Patients were randomized in two groups (PUI or TUI) following a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants with a body mass index >40, with a history of abdominal surgery, undergoing co-operations, requesting a specific incision or converted to open surgery were excluded.

Results: Among the 56 randomized patients, 50 (27 PUI vs 23 PUI) produced analyzable data. There were no significant difference between the characteristics of both groups. CSS evolution (pre-op vs 1 month post-op), SSI incidence and OT were also comparable. Only 28% of participants valued the appearance of their umbilicus prior to intervention. Those who did had a significantly worst CSS evolution (OR -1.7; IC95-2.6/-0.72, p = 0.001). Higher preoperative CSS was also a predictor of postoperative CSS decline (OR -0.4; IC95-0.6/-0.2, p = 0.001).

Conclusions: SUI and TUI were similar for all tested outcomes. Among the participants, the minority of patients who valued the appearance of their umbilicus and those with a high preoperative CSS were particularly prone to postoperative CSS decline.