Background/aims: Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) is rapidly becoming the focal point of attraction for early adopters of minimally invasive surgery worldwide. The aim of this study was to compare SILC with multiport laparoscopic colectomy (MLC) when implemented by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.
Methodology: Studies and relevant literature regarding the formation of SILC vs. MLC were searched though PubMed and Embase. The volume of bleeding, the rates of conversion /adding trocars and morbidities by using single-incision laparoscopic surgery or multiport laparoscopic surgery were pooled and compared using a meta-analysis. The risk ratios and mean different were calculated with 95% confidence intervals to evaluate the influence of SILC.
Results: Eleven recent studies including 800 patients in total were included in this meta-analysis. These studies demonstrated that compared to MLC, SILC has the advantage of less bleeding, higher rates of conversion and has similar morbidities. Pooled mean difference of -29.9 (95% CI: -47.05-(-12.74); p<0.001), a pooled RR of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.24-3.36; p<0.01) and a pooled RR of 0.94 (0.72-1.21; p>0.05), respectively.
Conclusions: SILC is a technically realistic and reliable approach with short-term results similar to those obtained with the MLC procedure. More large, prospective, randomized, controlled trials should be conducted to further compare the safety and efficacy of this approach.