Introduction Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) is laparoscopic surgery done via one incision usually through the umbilicus. Cholecystectomy lends itself well to a SILS approach. As these procedures become more widely adapted it is important to determine the approximate learning curve to decrease two surgical endpoints: 1) time to completion of the procedure and 2) decreased incidence of conversion.
Methods We prospectively reviewed our series of fifty cholecystectomies done via the SILS approach between May 2008-present. All cases were done by two advanced laparoscopic surgeons at a single institution. Data was collected immediately after the case and entered into an excel database. Cases were done by insufflating the abdomen with a veress needle through the umbilicus followed by placement of 5mm ports at the umbilicus.
Results Patient ages ranged between 21 and 82 with a median age of 45. BMI range was 21-42 with a mean of 30. Average length of time for cases was 1 hour 9 minutes with a range between 55 minutes and 120 minutes. The average length of time for the first ten cases was 96 minutes. When compared to cases 21 to 30 the average length of time was 56 minutes (p
Session: Podium Presentation
Program Number: S025