Single-port laparoscopy versus conventional laparoscopy of benign adnexal masses during pregnancy: a retrospective case–control study

OBJECTIVE: To compare operative outcomes between single-port laparoscopy (SPL) and conventional laparoscopy (CL) to remove adnexal masses during pregnancy. METHODS: This retrospective case–control study included all patients who had undergone laparoscopic removal of benign adnexal masses during pregnancy between October 2010 and January 2020. Multiple clinical characteristics and operative outcomes were retrospectively analysed and compared between patients who had undergone SPL versus CL, including cosmetic satisfaction with the scar, measured on a 10-point scale (10 indicating very satisfied). RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included (SPL, n = 22; and CL, n = 42). Overall scar satisfaction scores significantly favoured SPL versus CL (9.1 ± 1.7 versus 8.1 ± 1.3, respectively), however, surgery duration was significantly longer for SPL than CL (69.2 ± 21.0 min versus 54.7 ± 20.7 min). No incisional hernia was detected in the study. Operative blood loss, decrease in estimated haemoglobin level, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization expenses were comparable between the two groups. Pregnancy and fetal outcomes were not remarkably different. CONCLUSION: For removal of benign adnexal masses during pregnancy, SPL may offer superior cosmetic satisfaction versus CL, and was not associated with additional perioperative danger, economic burden, or adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.