Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Short-term results and technical considerations

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained popularity and acceptance among bariatric surgeons, mainly due its low morbidity and mortality. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery has emerged as another modality of carrying out the bariatric procedures. While the single-incision transumbilical (SITU) approach represents an advance, especially for cosmetic reasons, its application in morbid obesity at present is limited. We describe our short-term surgical results and technical considerations with SITU-SG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SITU-SG was performed in 10 patients between June 2010 and June 2011. SG was performed in a standard fashion and was started 6 cm from the pylorus using a 36 French bougie. RESULTS: They were all females with a mean age of 45 years. Preoperative BMI was 40 kg/m(2) (range, 35–45). The mean operative time was 98 min. No peri- or postoperative complications or deaths occurred. All patients were very satisfied with the cosmetic outcomes and excess weight loss. CONCLUSION: True SITU laparoscopic SG is safe and feasible and can be performed without changing the existing principles of the procedure.