Initial Experience with Single Incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy by Surgical Resident

Abstract

Purpose: Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a popular procedure for acute appendicitis. Its minimally invasive nature has made LA a commonly performed surgical technique for surgical residents. However, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) poses a challenge to inexperienced surgical residents. We described our initial experience in teaching SILS for appendectomy in our medical center. Methods: Twenty nine cases of SILA were performed by single surgical resident and 110 cases of LA were performed by four surgical residents and five board-certified surgeons. Data were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The mean SILA and multi-port laparoscopic appendectomy (MLA) operative time was 44.5±14 min (range 25~85 min) and 74.8±26 min (range 20~125 min), respectively. The shorter time for SILA was significant (p<0.05). Postoperative hospital stay was 3.3±1.6 days (range 2~6 days) following SILA and 4.0±2.9 days (range 2~12 days) following MLA (p<0.05). Three cases of wound infection developed following SILA. Complications in the MLA patients included one cases each of operative bladder injury and postoperative ileus. Conclusion: SILA is a considerable training method for laparoscopic surgery for a surgical resident learning SILS.