A comparative study of two-port versus three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is performed by using three or four ports of various sizes. As cosmesis is an important aspect of LC, the trend is now towards use of fewer ports, thereby resulting in better cosmesis for patients. The aim of this study was to compare three-port against two-port LC techniques and to see whether there is any advantage in using one technique over the other. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery of North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) hospital in Northeast India. A prospective comparative type of study was designed. An odd number of patients were operated on by using the three-port technique (Group A), whereas an even number of patients were operated on by the two-port technique (Group B). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were included in the study after obtaining informed consent from each of the patients. All patients were operated on under general anaesthesia. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: There were 51 female patients and 9 male patients. The mean patient age was 38.67 years. There was less operative time in group A but less postoperative pain in group B. Cosmetic appearance and patient satisfaction for the scar were better in group B. CONCLUSIONS: The two-port method appeared to have better acceptability among patients due to lower pain score and better cosmesis.