Single port laparoscopic cholecystectomy in adults and children: tools and techniques.

g s v o l l ith the advent of laparoscopic surgery a compromise was ade: one large incision for several small incisions. For the ost part, several small incisions are a better cosmetic alernative than the open incision. In addition, several small ncisions typically cause less pain and fewer complications han one large incision. But with the development of more dvanced technology there may be a better alternative to ultiple incision surgery. In the last several years the develpment of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery NOTES) has created a great deal of excitement as a less nvasive alternative to laparoscopy. But this technology ecessitates a visceral injury. Recently, perhaps a safer but qually as cosmetic approach to minimally invasive surgery as developed: single port laparoscopic surgery. Single port urgery allows for advanced laparoscopic procedures to be erformed through one incision, usually in the umbilicus. lthough this technique should closely replicate the tradiional laparoscopic alternative, modifications of instruentation and technique must be made. Because this echnique is still in its infancy, there are few data conirming the benefits of this approach. But literature is merging demonstrating the safety and efficacy of single ort laparoscopy. We describe a suggested technique and nstrumentation that make single port laparoscopic surgery easible. We have performed this operation in both adults nd children as young as 4 years of age, with weights rangng from 17.1 kg to 125.5 kg. The intention here is to ention the most commonly used products available for ingle port surgery and present opinions of their pros and ons.