The Cosmetic Benefit of Three-Port Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Umbilical Trocar Insertion

: From April 1991, we performed successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on 221 patients. Among them, 198 patients were treated using the standard procedure based on four-trocar insertion. We developed a new three-port LC, which might have several cosmetic advantages, and used it with 23 selective patients with non-inflammatory cholecystolithiasis. LC was conducted in all of the patients without any technical difficulties using the three ports method. The mean operating time was 52 minutes and was 10 minutes longer than for four-port LC. As regards the cosmetic benefits, a 10-mm port for the laparoscope was inserted through the inside of the umbilicus. This wound scar cannot be distinguished from the normal umbilical configuration after complete wound healing and there are only two small recognizable surgery scars. We believe this three-port method has more cosmetic advantages, and its application could be gradually extended. (Dig Endosc 1994; 6 : 49–51)