Feasibility of gasless laparoscopy-assisted transumbilical appendectomy: early experience.

Abstract Background: In recent years, single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy has been used as an improved form of conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA). We have started to perform gasless laparoscopy-assisted transumbilical appendectomy (GLATUA) in patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, cosmetic results, and cost-effectiveness of this novel technique of GLATUA. Patients and Methods: In total, 30 patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis without evidence of periappendiceal abcess or perforation and indicated for operation were enrolled in the study. Attempts to operate by the GLATUA technique initially were made in all of the patients. When it was technically difficult to perform appendix extraction via the umbilicus, the procedures were converted to the CLA technique (conversion group). The following factors between the successful group and conversion group were investigated to evaluate feasibility and predictable factors for the suc...