Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been developed with the aim of reducing the invasiveness of traditional laparoscopy.
Methods: The technique of single-incision laparoscopic gastric bypass performed through a single intra-umbilical incision was adopted in 16 obese patients and minutely described. Fourteen patients underwent single-loop gastric bypass and two patients underwent "double loop" (Roux-en-Y) gastric bypass.
Results: Operating time was less than 2 h in all cases. All procedures were completed with the single-access technique. There were no major per-operative complications. Patients were early-discharged after an upper GI examination and restoration of a liquid diet.
Conclusions: Emerging technology has contributed to the diffusion of SILS; single-incision laparoscopy is validated and established in cholecystectomy and is gaining acceptance in other techniques also. High technical skill is required for manipulating, measuring, and suturing the bowel with articulated instruments. However, randomized, controlled trials are required to determine the real advantages of this technique in comparison with standard laparoscopy.