A retrospective cohort report of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomies in Saudi Arabia: Postoperative outcomes and patient satisfaction

INTRODUCTION: Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become more popular recently. Because it yields shorter hospitalization, less postoperative pain, and better cosmetic outcomes. As it minimizes the number of incisions, it causes less trauma to the anterior abdominal wall and this decreases the operative mortality and morbidity. In this study, our aim is to share our results from the procedure so that surgeons in the field may consider adopting this approach when performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 125 patients that underwent single-incision cholecystectomy. These patients underwent the procedure in a specialized center. We extracted data and surveyed patients who underwent the procedure between 2017 and 2019, and that were performed by the same consultant using the standard tools of laparoscopic surgery. All patients were followed for 12 months. The postoperative survey includes; the cosmetic appearance of the surgical site, pain management after the procedure, and patient satisfaction with this experience. RESULTS: Most of the patients were satisfied with postoperative pain management and their cosmetic appearance. Most of the patients were females diagnosed with cholelithiasis preoperatively. The mean age of the patients was 37.43 ± 10.72 years, the mean BMI of the participants was 29.68 ± 6.51 kg/m(2) and the mean operative time was 25.56 ± 10.42 min. CONCLUSION: Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy has the potential to become the procedure of choice for cholecystectomy.