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Single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology—current status

Gynecological Surgery volume 9, pages 383–391 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

The objective of this study is to report the current status on single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology. A systematic MEDLINE review of the English language literature from 2007 to 2011 was performed using the search term “single-port surgery,” which contained information on single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology. Overall, 1,152 patients (26 studies) were included in the analysis. The operative time varied according to the type of procedure. The conversion rate to conventional laparoscopy was 1.99 %, and the conversion rate to laparotomy was 0.35 %. Postoperative complications were encountered in 1.48 % of cases. Different gynecologic procedures have been effectively performed by means of single-port laparoscopic surgery. The procedure seems to be feasible, reproducible, and safe. Reduced pain and improved cosmesis are supposed to be the potential advantages of these procedures, but it was not completely confirmed yet! Further studies are still necessary to establish the real benefits of this new surgical approach over the traditional multi-port laparoscopy.

Background

Laparoscopic surgery has increasingly assumed a central role in the management of benign and malignant conditions in gynecology [1]. In the last years, various efforts have been made to further minimize the invasiveness of traditional laparoscopy reducing the port size and/or the port number [2–6]. As a result of these efforts, single-port transumbilical laparoscopic surgery has been introduced as a further development of conventional laparoscopy. In this technique, the procedure requires only one incision at the umbilicus, reducing the morbidity of additional incisions (epigastric vessels injury, operative wound infection, visceral organ damage) and improving the final cosmetic outcome [2, 7].

Several terms have been used to describe this surgical procedure [8]: single-port surgery, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), single-port access surgery, transumbilical endoscopic surgery, laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery, and embryonic natural orifice transumbilical endoscopic surgery. No matter what term is used, the single-incision approach to gynecological diseases is not a new idea. It has been used in gynecology as early as 1969, when a laparoscopic tubal ligation was described by Wheeless [9]. In 1973, Wheeless and Thompson [10] reported on 2,600 cases of one-incision laparoscopic tubal ligation. The first hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy performed by means of laparoscopic single-incision access was described by Pelosi and Pelosi [11], in 1991.

Despite the technical challenges associated with complex intracorporeal maneuvers, lack of instrument triangulation, limited traction of tissue, and external crowding and clashing [3, 12], single-port laparoscopic surgery has been successfully performed by experienced groups in gynecologic surgery [1, 12–17].

In this paper, we conducted a MEDLINE literature search of all publications in English language from 2007 to 2011 using the search term “single-port surgery,” as well as a review of all references to summarize the existing clinical experience on single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology.

Methods

Sources

A systematic MEDLINE review of the English language literature from 2007 To 2011 was performed using the search term “single-port surgery,” which contained information on single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology.

Study selection

Entrance criteria for the MEDLINE search term “single-port surgery” included: patients undergoing single-port surgery in gynecology. Review articles and case reports were excluded from the analysis. The review of the English language literature identified 995 papers on single-port surgery. A total of 72 papers included gynecologic procedures and 26 studies were selected for further analysis.

Findings

A total of 72 papers were published from 2007 to 2011 on gynecologic single-port surgery. Twenty-six studies were put together in the Table 1. A total of 1,152 women underwent different surgical procedures by means of single-port surgery. The operative time varied according to the type of procedure. Overall, the conversion rate to conventional laparoscopy was 1.99 %, and the conversion rate to laparotomy was 0.35 %. The surgical morbidity was low (1.48 %). Therefore, single-port laparoscopic surgery may be applied to most benign gynecologic surgeries without detrimental effects on clinical outcomes.

Table 1 Twenty-six studies including 1,152 women undergoing single-port laparoscopic surgery for gynecological pathologies
Full size table

The implementation of the single-port surgery in a gynecologic service was evaluated by Lee et al. [41]. They retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 500 consecutive patients undergoing laparotomic or laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic diseases. The surgeries included hysterectomy (n = 239), adnexal surgery (n = 194), myomectomy (n = 33), adnexal surgery + myomectomy (n = 18), and other procedures (n = 16). They divided the patients into five groups of 100 patients each, and they observed an increasing rate of single-port laparoscopic procedures over the period—29 %, 62 %, 72 %, 71 %, and 86 %. In the last group, laparotomy and multiport laparoscopy were required in only 4 % and 10 % of the cases, respectively. They did not notice any differences in the median operative time or complication rate over the study period.

Despite these preliminary optimistic results in the outcomes of single-port surgery, an experienced laparoscopic skill set seems to be essential for the safe and effective completion of surgery [42].

Technique

The procedure may be typically performed by means of two approaches. The first is single-site surgery, in which two or more conventional ports are placed through a single incision (Fig. 1). The second approach is performed by using a single-port multichannel device, through which multiple instruments and the laparoscope are passed [43].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Right salpingectomy performed by means of three conventional trocars placed inside the umbilicus

Full size image

Instruments and devices

Different single-port devices have been developed to try to fulfill the requirements of this new surgical technique:

  • SILS port multiple instrument access port (Covidien®, Mansfield, MA) (Fig. 2);

    Fig. 2
    figure 2

    Single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy using the SILS device

    Full size image

  • TriPort (Advanced Surgical Concepts, Wicklow, Ireland);

  • GelPOINT system (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) (Fig. 3);

    Fig. 3
    figure 3

    Single-port laparoscopic salpingectomy using the GelPOINT system

    Full size image

  • AirSeal DPS (SurgiQuest, Orange, CT);

  • R-Port (Advanced Surgical Concepts, Wicklow, Ireland);

  • Quadriport (Advanced Surgical Concepts, Wicklow, Ireland);

  • Uni-X single-port access laparoscopic system (PNavel systems, Cleveland, OH);

  • Single-site laparoscopy access system (Ethicon Endosurgery, Cincinnati, OH) (Fig. 4);

    Fig. 4
    figure 4

    Single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy using the single-site laparoscopy access system

    Full size image

  • SITRACC (Edlo Company, Porto Alegre, Brazil) (Fig. 5).

    Fig. 5
    figure 5

    Single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy using the SITRACC

    Full size image

One study [44] compared the technical performance between conventional laparoscopic and single-port devices (SILS port, the TriPort access system, and the GelPOINT system) in a surgical simulator. Overall, the TriPort was more challenging for novices to use in learning the single-port procedure than either the SILS port or the GelPOINT system. The GelPOINT system offered the most consistent platform for single-port surgery performance and novice skill acquisition. In our preliminary experience using the single-site surgery, the SILS port, the SITRACC device, the GelPoint, and the single-site laparoscopy access system, both the SILS platform and the single-site laparoscopy access system seemed to be the more comfortable devices for pelvic gynecologic procedures.

Also, the development of articulating and bent instrumentation permits triangulation intracorporeally despite the close proximity of several instruments via a single port [42].

Learning curve

Whenever a new surgical technique is introduced into clinical practice, there is a specific learning curve that surgeons have to manage in order to improve their skills and the safety of the procedure.

Paek et al. [21] evaluated 100 patients who underwent single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy to define the learning curve for the procedure. The median time until the removal of the specimen was 45 min, and the median time for closure of the vaginal cuff was 18 min. The median total operative time (from skin opening to closure) was 80 min. Proficiency at the procedure was achieved after 40 cases. The time for vaginal closure the decreased significantly from the first 20 cases to the next, and the total operating time decreased significantly from the second 20 cases to the next.

In the experience of Song et al. [45], the proficiency and plateau were determined after approximately 25 and 75 cases of single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies, respectively. Conversely, Lee et al. [46] showed a shorter learning curve for such procedure. They observed a tendency toward a decreased operative time after ten cases of single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Comparative studies

Prospective randomized studies comparing the outcomes of single-port and traditional laparoscopic surgeries are required to establish the actual benefits and disadvantages of the new minimally invasive technique.

Lee et al. [47] compared the perioperative outcomes between 17 single-port laparoscopic adnexal surgeries and 34 conventional laparoscopic adnexal surgeries. There were no differences between the two groups in median operative time (64 vs. 57.5 min, p = 0.252), the number of patients that requested additional parenteral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (7 patients vs. 19 patients, p = 0.597), and the absolute decrease (1.3 mg/dl vs. 1.1 mg/dl, p = 0.640) from preoperative hemoglobin to postoperative day 1 measurements. No blood transfusion was required. There were no complications.

From January to June 2009, Yoon et al. [32] conducted a comparative study between single-port laparoscopic salpingectomy (n = 30) and conventional laparoscopic salpingectomy (n = 30) for the treatment of tubal pregnancy. All operations were completed successfully. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of mean operative time (52.6 ± 16.1 min vs 46.8 ± 16.2 min; p = 0.174), mean difference between pre- and postoperative hemoglobin (1.7 ± 0.8 g/dl vs 1.8 ± 1.0 g/dl; p = 0.636), or mean postoperative hospital stay (2.4 ± 0.5 days vs 2.4 ± 0.9 days; p = 1.000). No complications were encountered in either group, and there was no conversion to conventional laparoscopy in the single-port surgery group.

In a retrospective study, Yim et al. [13] compared surgical outcomes and postoperative pain between single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy (n = 52) and conventional four-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy (n = 105). The single-port group had less intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.001), and earlier diet intake (p < 0.001) compared with the conventional group. There was no difference in perioperative complications. Immediate postoperative pain score was lower in the single-port group (p < 0.001). Postoperative pain after 6 and 24 h was lower in single-port group with marginal statistical significance.

Kim et al. [48] retrospectively compared the perioperative outcomes of single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 43) and conventional laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 43). There was one conversion to laparotomy in the former group and two in the latter group. Additionally, three patients in the former group needed the placement of additional trocars (conversion to traditional laparoscopy). The operative time (119 vs. 124 min; p = 0.6), estimated blood loss (369 vs. 378 ml; p = 0.9), drop in hemoglobin preoperatively to postoperative day 1 (14.6 % vs. 12.1 %; p = 0.2), and postoperative hospital stay were comparable between both groups (2.8 vs. 2.7 days; p = 0.9). Single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was associated with reduced postoperative pain. There were no complications, including reoperation, adjacent organ damage, and any postoperative morbidity, in both groups.

Escobar et al. [49] compared the surgical outcomes of single-port laparoscopy for the surgical treatment of presumed early stage endometrial cancer (stage I or occult stage II endometrial cancer) to laparoscopy and robotics. Thirty patients were included in each group. There were no significant differences in median operating time or estimated blood loss between the three groups. The median number of pelvic lymph nodes obtained was significantly higher in the robotic (n = 17) and single-port group (n = 16) compared with the laparoscopy group (n = 13). However, there was no significant difference in the median number of para-aortic nodes obtained between the three groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in length of hospital stay, comorbid conditions, complication rates, or operative times.

Training courses

Training courses allow inexperienced surgeons to learn and improve minimally invasive surgical techniques. They play an important role in the acquisition of specific skills in the single-port approach.

Botden et al. [50] evaluated 15 participants performing three basic tasks (translocation, clip and cut, and tissue dissection, based on the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery) in the box trainer in laparoscopy and single-port access settings with both (conventional) crossed and curved instruments. Although conventional laparoscopy appeared most effective for proper dissection and tissue exposure, single-port access surgery showed potential. Especially in the tissue dissection task, there was no significant difference in time or errors between conventional laparoscopy and single-port surgery, using especially designed curved instruments.

In the study of Montero et al. [51], single-port laparoscopic surgery was associated with poorer performance and increased surgeon workload compared with standard laparoscopy. It was improved when angulated instruments were used for simulated tasks instead of straight instruments, but it still remained inferior to standard laparoscopy. Therefore, specialized training courses seem to be effective for developing single-port laparoscopic skills [52].

Robotics single-port surgery

Robotics may enhance surgical skills during single-port laparoscopic surgery and decrease the learning curve.

In 2011, Escobar et al. [53] evaluated a novel single-port robotic platform in the cadaver model. They demonstrated that the performance of various procedures in gynecologic oncology using the new da Vinci® single-site robotic platform is feasible and, more importantly, reproducible in the cadaver model.

In the initial series of Nam et al. [54], they operated on seven patients using robotics to perform single-port transumbilical total hysterectomy. Procedures included total hysterectomy due to benign gynecological disease (n = 5), extra-fascial hysterectomy due to carcinoma in situ of the cervix (n = 1), and radical hysterectomy due to cervical cancer IB1 (n = 1). The median total operative time was 109 min (range, 105 to 311 min); the median blood loss was 100 ml (range, 10 to 750 ml), and the median weight of the resected uteri was 200 g (range, 40 to 310 g). One benign case was converted to three-port robotic surgery due to severe pelvic adhesions, and no post-operative complications occurred.

Controversies

Most studies do not show any superiority of the single-port access over conventional laparoscopic procedures [14]. The possible cosmetic advantage was not proved yet. Depending on the shape of the patient’s umbilical scar, the skin incision cannot be performed completely inside the umbilicus. Some studies demonstrated a reduction in the postoperative pain using the single-port access [13, 17, 48]; however, one could think that maybe a bigger single incision could be more painful that four smaller incisions and could have an increased risk of incisional hernia.

Chen et al. [17] compared the immediate results of patients undergoing either two-channel single-port laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 50) or conventional multiport laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 50). There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, estimated blood loss, time to first flatus, intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications, shoulder tip pain, or length of hospital stay between the two groups. However, postoperative pain was significantly less in the single-port group compared with the conventional group, as evidenced by lower mean scores on the visual analog scale and less mean accumulated dose of postoperative analgesics. Conversely, a randomized prospective study of single-port and four-port approaches for hysterectomy conducted by Jung et al. [2] did not demonstrate any reduction of the postoperative pain with single-port access. The surgical outcomes were similar for both groups.

Tsimogiannis et al. [55] conducted a randomized study of 20 patients undergoing standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 20 patients undergoing LESS. They observed a higher inflammatory reaction in the latter group, demonstrated by the higher levels of postoperative α-defensins in this group. However, pain was statistically significantly less for the LESS group at the 24-h interval, and less pain medication was needed for LESS patients after the sixth postoperative hour.

In the experience of Gunderson et al. [56], the risk of umbilical hernia with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery was 2.4 %. When they excluded some patients (“high risk” subjects for incisional disruption) from the analysis, the umbilical hernia rate was 0.5 %.

Final considerations

Single-port surgery is the latest innovation in minimally invasive surgery and seems to be feasible, reproducible, and safe to perform different gynecologic procedures. Reduced pain and improved cosmesis are supposed to be the potential advantages of these procedures, but it was not completely confirmed yet! Further studies are still necessary to establish the real benefits of this new surgical approach over the traditional multi-port laparoscopy.

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The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sugisawa Medical Center, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    William Kondo & Monica Tessmann Zomer

  2. Red Cross Hospital, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    William Kondo, Reitan Ribeiro & Monica Tessmann Zomer

  3. Vita Batel Hospital, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    William Kondo, Reitan Ribeiro & Monica Tessmann Zomer

  4. Av. Getulio Vargas, 3163 ap 21, 80240-041, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

    William Kondo

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  1. William Kondo
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  2. Reitan Ribeiro
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  3. Monica Tessmann Zomer
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Correspondence to William Kondo.

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Kondo, W., Ribeiro, R. & Zomer, M.T. Single-port laparoscopic surgery in gynecology—current status. Gynecol Surg 9, 383–391 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10397-012-0743-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10397-012-0743-7

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