Transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Single port surgery and transumbilical surgery are progressing rapidly. The advantages of the cosmetic appearance of this surgery encourages the surgeon to do it which has good acceptance from the patients. Moreover transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy has the miratus of the single port surgery and traditional laparoscopic surgery. Single port surgery seemed to be expensive more than traditional laparoscopic surgery. Transumbilical Laparoscopic surgery is a rapidly evolving field as a bridge between traditional laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Aim: Hereby, we report of the initial clinical experiences in Saudi Arabia with this new technique. Ten cases of gallbladder stone are selected for this new technique. Materials and Methods: Tow curved intra-umbilical incision was made with 5mm port for camera (30 degree angle) and 8mm working port. Two separate incision 2mm each at right upper quadrant. Dissection was performed using an electric cautery hook and an endograsper. Result: Nine out of ten procedures were completed successfully and one case converted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy because acutely inflamed. Average operative time 48 min with minimal blood loss. Postoperative follow-up did not reveal any umbilical wound complication. Conclusion: Therefore, transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and a promising alternative method as less scar in abdominal surgery for the treatment of some patients with gallbladder stone. No extra cost or special instruments are used. Moreover, we reduce the risk of the post single port hernia surgery.