Single incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a single surgeon experience of 102 consecutive cases

Due to the recent heightened interest in even less invasive surgery, single port laparoscopic colorectal surgery is quickly gaining acceptance. While this access technique was first described in 2007 for colorectal resective procedures, large series are lacking.

Between January 2009 and October 2010, all patients undergoing single port colorectal surgery performed by a single surgeon were prospectively entered into an IRB-approved database and studied with regard to perioperative events, morbidity, and mortality.

One hundred and two consecutive patients underwent a single port colorectal procedure. Mean age was 47 years (9–93 years), and average body mass index was 26 kg/m² (15–39 kg/m²). Primary diagnoses included ulcerative colitis (51), neoplasia (23), Crohn’s disease (14), diverticulitis (11), familial adenomatous polyposis (1), and other (2). Procedures included 23 total colectomies, 40 segmental colectomies, and 19 other procedures. There was 1 conversion to an open operation, and 18 (18%) patients required placement of additional ports (1 port: N = 13; 2 ports: N = 2; 3 ports: N = 3). Average operating room time was 99 min (13–245), mean length of incision was 3.7 cm (1.2–7.8 cm), and average estimated blood loss was 140 ml (0–750 ml). There was one postoperative death, and 39 (38%) patients experienced minor postoperative complications. Mean lymph node harvest for oncologic resections was 44 (14–142). The average length of hospital stay was 5.9 days (2–24 days).

With proper patient selection and laparoscopic experience, single port colorectal surgery can be performed for even the most complex colorectal procedures. Further studies are needed to assess the benefits that single port colorectal surgery has over a conventional laparoscopic approach.