Objective: To compare the incidence of bile duct injuries during single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) in relation to the accepted historic rate of 0.4% to 0.5% for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Background: Technically, SILC is more challenging than SLC. The role and benefit of SILC in patient care has yet to be defined. Bile duct injuries have been reported in several series of SILC. Method: A comprehensive database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PubMed Central was performed to generate all reported cases of SILC to present. The search was limited to reports of 20 or more patients based on current literature of existing SILC learning curves. Data were analyzed using the Student t test and χ 2 analyses where appropriate. Results: A total of 76 candidate studies were identified; 45 studies met inclusion criteria for an aggregate total of 2626 patients. Most SILCs were performed in the absence of acute cholecystitis (90.6%). The aggregate complication rate was 4.2%, and complications were graded according to the Dindo-Clavien Classification System. Nineteen bile duct injuries were identified for a SILC-associated bile duct injury rate of 0.72%. Conclusions: There seems to be an increase in the rate of bile duct injuries during SILC when compared with historic rates during SLC. Because most

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher bile duct injury rate: a review and a word of caution.

Objectives To compare the morbidity, pain, cosmesis, and cost-effectiveness of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) with standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Data Sources Existing literature in MEDLINE through July 31, 2011. Study Selection We reviewed all studies identified through MEDLINE. References were cross-checked to ensure capture of cited pertinent articles. Case reports and series of less than 4 cases were excluded. Data Synthesis In total we analyzed 49 studies, including 2336 patients. Seven studies consisted of randomized trials and 11 of case-matched control series (compared with SLC). The technical aspects of SILC were not standardized. Median follow-up time was 4 weeks, although 27 studies (55.1%) reported no follow-up. The overall median complication rate was 7.37% (range, 0-28.6%), and the overall rate of biliary duct complications was 0.39%. Postoperative pain was similar or worse in SILC compared with SLC in 10 of 13 articles reporting pain outcomes (76.9%). Six articles investigating cosmesis after SILC compared outcomes with those of SLC. Three articles demonstrated significantly improved cosmesis after SILC. Conclusions The perceived benefits of SILC compared with SLC are improved cosmesis and reduced surgical trauma. No definitive evidence suggests that such improvements can be gained by SILC. Complications are more common, may be underestimated owing to the lack of sufficient follow-up, and may be associated with a shift from safe practice.

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Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review

Objective: To compare the incidence of bile duct injuries during single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) in relation to the accepted historic rate of 0.4% to 0.5% for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC). Background: Technically, SILC is more challenging than SLC. The role and benefit of SILC in patient care has yet to be defined. Bile duct injuries have been reported in several series of SILC. Method: A comprehensive database search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PubMed Central was performed to generate all reported cases of SILC to present. The search was limited to reports of 20 or more patients based on current literature of existing SILC learning curves. Data were analyzed using the Student t test and χ2 analyses where appropriate. Results: A total of 76 candidate studies were identified; 45 studies met inclusion criteria for an aggregate total of 2626 patients. Most SILCs were performed in the absence of acute cholecystitis (90.6%). The aggregate complication rate was 4.2%, and complications were graded according to the Dindo-Clavien Classification System. Nineteen bile duct injuries were identified for a SILC-associated bile duct injury rate of 0.72%. Conclusions: There seems to be an increase in the rate of bile duct injuries during SILC when compared with historic rates during SLC. Because most SILCs are performed in optimal conditions, such as lack of acute inflammation, we urge caution in applying this technique to inflamed gallbladder pathology. Controlled trials are needed before conclusions are made regarding safety of SILC.

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher bile duct injury rate: a review and word of caution.

AIM: To assesse the rate of bile duct injuries (BDI) and overall biliary complications during single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) compared to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).

METHODS: SPLC has recently been proposed as an innovative surgical approach for gallbladder surgery. So far, its safety with respect to bile duct injuries has not been specifically evaluated. A systematic review of the literature published between January 1990 and November 2012 was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing SPLC versus CLC reporting BDI rate and overall biliary complications were included. The quality of RCT was assessed using the Jadad score. Analysis was made by performing a meta-analysis, using Review Manager 5.2. This study was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A retrospective study including all retrospective reports on SPLC was also performed alongside.

RESULTS: From 496 publications, 11 RCT including 898 patients were selected for meta-analysis. No studies were rated as high quality (Jadad score ≥ 4). Operative indications included benign gallbladder disease operated in an elective setting in all studies, excluding all emergency cases and acute cholecystitis. The median follow-up was 1 mo (range 0.03-18 mo). The incidence of BDI was 0.4% for SPLC and 0% for CLC; the difference was not statistically different (P = 0.36). The incidence of overall biliary complication was 1.6% for SPLC and 0.5% for CLC, the difference did not reached statistically significance (P = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.66-15). Sixty non-randomized trials including 3599 patients were also analysed. The incidence of BDI reported then was 0.7%.

CONCLUSION: The safety of SPLC cannot be assumed, based on the current evidence. Hence, this new technology cannot be recommended as standard technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Remains of the day: biliary complications related to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Transoral endoscopic/robotic thyroidectomy vestibule approach (TOETVA/TORTVA) is a novel technology that has been proposed for the treatment of thyroid disease. Its adoption has increased because of its satisfying cosmetic effects. The primary aim of this systematic review was to assess the feasibility and safety of this approach, and the secondary aim was to discuss the indications for this technology. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane databases for published studies on the feasibility and safety of TOETVA or TORTVA. 11 articles containing 864 patients met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening, of which two were reports of randomized controlled trial (RCT), two were retrospective cohort studies and the remaining seven studies were case series. Only studies that evaluated the feasibility and safety of this approach were included. TOETVA/TORTVA was successfully performed in 857 out of the 864 cases (99.2%). The mean operative time ranged from 60.4 to 265.4 min. In most articles, blood loss was less than 50 mL and the mean hospital stay ranged from 1.1 to 8.2 days. The safety outcomes were presented in all articles. The total incidence of adverse events was 14.5%, of which the main complications were transient hypoparathyroidism (5.6%) and transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (3.1%). This review preliminarily suggests that TOETVA or TORTVA could be an effective and safe treatment for thyroidectomy. Due to the small sample size and low level of evidence, further large-scale, well-designed RCTs are required to validate our findings.

Transoral vestibule approach for thyroid disease: a systematic review.

The novel concept of continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (Cont-IONM) through stimulation of the vagal nerve has been used in thyroidectomies to prevent imminent injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). This article reports on this technology and the results of using transoral Cont-IONM in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroid disease. Cont-IONM of the RLN was achieved through automatic cyclical stimulation of the vagal nerve using a C2 monitor and delta stimulating electrode. During the operation, three vestibular incisions were made, and the stimulating electrode was transorally inserted, with its cable line lying outside the trocar. The vagal nerve was gently dissected, looped, and then enveloped by the electrode cuff. Electromyography (EMG) of the vocalis muscle was performed, and the alarm was set to activate when the EMG amplitude reduced by 50% and latency was prolonged by 10%. Demographic data and outcome variables, including incremental time required to achieve Cont-IONM, were obtained. A total of 20 patients (28 nerves at risk) undergoing a transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach were enrolled in this study. All Cont-IONM procedures were successfully completed. In all patients, the stimulation was set at 0.7 milliamps every 1 s, and Cont-IONM use was unassociated with any untoward neural, cardiovascular, or gastrointestinal sequelae. On average, the ipsilateral Cont-IONM procedure required 10.33 ± 2.57 min to complete. Except for one instance, no significant problems occurred with electrode displacement. In one patient, a combined EMG event occurred, which improved after releasing the thyroid retractor, and the patient had no vocal cord paralysis postoperatively. Cont-IONM is feasible and safe to use during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomies and may assist in the early detection of adverse EMG changes, thereby preventing paralysis of the RLNs.

Application of transoral continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroid disease: a preliminary study.

To report the clinical experience of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TUSPLC), using a homemade laparoscopic access port composed of two inexpensive and common pieces of equipment readily available in the operating room. Fifty consecutive patients with gallstones, including ten patients (20%) with acute cholecystitis, underwent single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using a homemade single port composed of a segment of corrugated breathing tube and a pair of surgical gloves. The port was inserted into the umbilicus for simultaneous placement of multiple conventional instruments into the abdominal cavity. All patients underwent dome-down LC using traditional instruments with manually angulated shafts; dissection was done using electrocautery or harmonic scalpel. All but two procedures were completed uneventfully. Two patients with acute cholecystitis due to dense adhesions in the triangle of Calot necessitated conversion to two- and four-port laparoscopic procedures, respectively. Operative time averaged 73 ± 2 min for chronic cholecystitis and 95 ± 5 min for acute cholecystitis. There were no perioperative port-related or surgical complications, except for two patients who developed wound seroma and recovered after conservative treatment. We found that healing of the umbilical wound left virtually no scar in all patients. The homemade umbilical port reported in this study is useful for multiple instrument access and allows TUSPLC to be performed safely, with its inherent cosmetic and cost advantages. Further studies of this technique are ongoing.

Feasibility of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a homemade laparoscopic port: a clinical report of 50 cases

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is generally performed using a four- or five-port technique. We report a unique technique of two-port transcholedochal LCBDE with T-tube placement. Twelve consecutive patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones underwent LCBDE through two entry ports, one homemade single port (Uen port) inserted in a 2-cm umbilical wound and one 5-mm subxiphoid trocar port. With the assistance of a 1.2-mm needle that was inserted through a right lower intercostal space into the abdominal cavity to facilitate the operation, two-port dome-down laparoscopic cholecystectomy, choledochotomy, choledochoscopic removal of ductal caculi, and T-tube choldochostomy were performed with conventional methods using standard laparoscopic instruments along with manually operated angled shafts. After completion of the operation, the T-tube catheter was brought out through the subxiphoid trocar wound. All operations were completed successfully without the need of additional ports. There was no complication and no residual stones. Mean operation time was 120 minutes (range, 90 to 150 minutes), and mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 3 to 4 days). Scarless wound healing was achieved except one T-tube scar. Two-port transumbilical LCBDE with T-tube choledochostomy is a feasible, safe, and effective technique that allows one-scar abdominal surgery for treatment of CBD stones. Further studies and the development of better instruments are necessary before this can be recommended as a standard procedure.

Kuo-Shan Wen

Papers

Application of transoral continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroid disease: a preliminary study.

Feasibility of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a homemade laparoscopic port: a clinical report of 50 cases

Two-port laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with T-tube choledochostomy for management of choledocholithiasis: an initial clinical report.