Laparoendoscopic single-site versus conventional laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Oct;209(4):317.e1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.07.004. Epub 2013 Jul 13.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the current evidence regarding the efficiency, safety, and potential advantages of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for treating gynecologic diseases.

Study design: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from their inception to December 2012. Two authors screened out duplicates and independently reviewed eligibility of each study. We included randomized controlled trials comparing LESS with conventional laparoscopy (CL) for treating gynecologic diseases. The primary outcomes were perioperative complication rate, conversion rate, postoperative pain, and cosmetic satisfaction.

Results: We included 6 randomized controlled trials with 439 participants in the final analysis. There were no significant differences between LESS and CL in terms of perioperative complication rate (15.5% and 14.3%; risk ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-1.67; P = .61), conversion rate (3.8% and 1.1%; risk ratio, 2.75; 95% CI, 0.73-10.33; P = .13), postoperative pain (weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.22; 95% CI, -1.29 to 0.85; P = .68), analgesic requirement (WMD, 0.41; 95% CI, -1.69 to 2.51; P = .70), and cosmetic satisfaction (WMD, 0.19; 95% CI, -0.30 to 0.68; P = .46). There were also no differences in terms of operative time (P = .65), hemoglobin change (P = .23), time to first flatus (P = .17), and length of hospital stay (P = .99) between both techniques.

Conclusion: This metaanalysis provides evidence that LESS is comparable in the efficacy and safety, but does not offer potential advantage such as better cosmesis and lesser pain compared with CL for treating gynecologic diseases.

Keywords: LESS; gynecologic; laparoendoscopic single-site; laparoscopy; metaanalysis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adnexa Uteri / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Loss, Surgical / statistics & numerical data
  • Conversion to Open Surgery / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Length of Stay
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Postoperative / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Uterus / surgery*