Comparison of Postoperative Port-Site Pain After Gallbladder Retrieval From Epigastric Versus Umbilical Port in Patients of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Symptomatic Cholelithiasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction Gallbladder (GB) retrieval is an important cause of postoperative pain (POP) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Retrieval is through the epigastric or umbilical port based on the surgeon's preference. There is limited evidence to support the superiority of one port over the other in terms of POP. This study was done to compare POP between epigastric and umbilical ports after GB retrieval in LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis.  Material and methods All patients who underwent elective LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis were randomized for GB retrieval either through the umbilical (n = 15) or epigastric (n = 15) port. Postoperatively, the retrieval difficulty score by the operating surgeon, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, and surgical site infection (SSI) by postoperative day (POD) 10 and 30 were assessed. Results The mean visual analog scores at the umbilical port at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours postoperatively were 5.20 ± 0.86, 4.60 ± 0.74, 4.00 ± 0.53, 3.40 ± 0.08, and 2.73 ± 0.82, which were significantly less than the visual analog scores at the epigastric port at the same time intervals, measuring 6.06 ± 1.34, 5.87 ± 1.30, 5.27 ± 1.16, 4.73 ± 1.10, and 3.93 ± 1.03, respectively. The difference was statistically significant between the two arms (p-value < 0.05). The mean retrieval difficulty score was significantly less for the umbilical port (4.40 ± 0.74) when compared with the epigastric port (5.13 ± 0.55). The overall SSI rate in the present study was 10%, and three (20%) patients in the epigastric port group developed SSI by POD 10, while none in the umbilical port group developed SSI. Conclusion GB retrieval from the umbilical port is associated with less POP, SSI, and retrieval difficulty when compared with GB retrieval from the epigastric port after elective LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Titration of analgesic use can also be done appropriately, reducing the dose of analgesics after 12-24 hours.