LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WITH A SINGLE SUBXYPHOID PORT OF 5 MM. OUR EXPERIENCE IN VENEZUELA

Abstract

Objetives: Present our experience with eighteen laparoscopic cholecystectomies with only one subxyphoid visible port of 5 mm, done at the General Surgical Department of two private hospitals, in order to introduce to our country new techniques that can diminish even more the trauma of traditional laparoscopic surgery. Patients and method: Prospective, observational study. Results: Eighteen patients were submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy with only one 5 mm subxyphoid port from January to April, 2008. Acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis
and cancer were excluded. Age, gender, surgical time, hospitalization time, complications, conversion rate and cosmetic effects were analyzed. Female sex predominated (17 to 1). Average age was 41 years old. Average surgical time was 67 minutes (58 minutes using ligasure vs 98 minutes without it). Average hospital staying was 24 hours. Only a single scar in the subxyphoid level was noticed, opposite to the traditional laparoscopic technique, in which three scars are almost always used, there were no conversions. There were no morbility or mortality in this series. Conclusions: The technique is applicable in our environment offering additional cosmetic benefits to the traditional laparoscopic technique.