Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is feasible and safe for most situations that indicate a need for cholecystectomy in normal-weight patients. SILS might offer several potential benefits over multiport laparoscopy. However, the effect of obesity on the surgical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has not been sufficiently investigated and is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare normal-weight and obese patients who had undergone SILC. Methods: All single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between December 2008 and December 2014 were reviewed and grouped according to patient's body mass index (BMI). Obese patients with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 who had undergone SILC were matched in a 1:2 ratio with non-obese patients. Results: One hundred six obese patients after SILC were compared with 212 non-obese patients according to age, gender, and indication for operation. Operation in obese patients was longer but without significant difference (53.9 minutes versus 62.3 minutes; P = .189). In each group, 4 patients needed conversion to multiport laparoscopy or open procedure (1.9% versus 3.8% for non-obese versus obese; P = .236). No significant difference was noted for postoperative complications (4.3% versus 5.7% for non-obese versus obese; P = .790) and the length of hospital stay (3.3 days versus 3.3 days; P = .958). Obese patients have a significantly (P = .027) higher incisional hernia rate (9.8%) than non-obese patients (1.9%), with obesity being a risk factor for hernia development in the univariate analysis. Conclusion: SILC in obese patients is technically feasible and safe compared with non-obese patients in regard to postoperative complications, conversion rates, and length of hospital stay but with an almost sixfold risk of umbilical incisional hernia on the long run.
Keywords: SILS; cholecystectomy; obesity; single port; single-incision laparoscopic surgery.