Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy: an early experience

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain that a general surgeon will encounter. We describe our modification to the laparoscopic appendectomy: a single-incision laparoscopic (SILS) appendectomy completed entirely intracorporeally. From September 2008 to September 2009, a retrospective review of the electronic medical record was performed in all patients who underwent a SILS appendectomy to specifically analyze the demographic characteristics, time in the operating room to perform SILS appendectomy, length of postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Twenty-five patients underwent SILS appendectomy in the study period. There were 18 males and seven females with a mean age of 41 ± 15 years and mean body mass index of 26.5 ± 5 kg/m2. Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy was performed successfully in all of our cases (100%). Mean operative time was 56 ± 16 minutes. Blood loss in all cases was minimal and there were no intraoperative complications. We successfully completed 25 appendectomies using the SILS method. Operative times were similar compared with the traditional laparoscopic technique. We believe that the SILS appendectomy is a safe and effective method that leaves a virtually invisible scar.