Laparoendoscopic single-site compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery for gynaecological acute abdomen in pregnant women

Objective To estimate the safety and feasibility of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) in pregnant patients with acute abdomen. Methods Baseline characteristics, surgical results, and obstetric and neonatal outcomes were retrospectively compared between single and multiport procedures in patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy between 2017 and 2021. Results Fifty-four pregnant patients were included: 26 who underwent LESS (salpingectomy, 11 cases/cystectomy, 15 cases) and 28 who underwent conventional laparoscopic surgeries (salpingectomy, 12 cases/cystectomy, 16 cases) during pregnancy. One patient in the single-port group required additional ports. No patients converted to laparotomy. In patients undergoing salpingectomy, the single-port group showed lower 8- and 24-h postoperative pain scores, shorter hospital stays, and lower Self-rating Anxiety Scale scores prior to discharge versus conventional laparoscopy. One patient experienced postoperative vaginal bleeding and a missed abortion during follow-up. In patients receiving cystectomy, 8- and 24-h pain scores, postoperative hospital stay, and anxiety scores were lower in the single-port versus multiport group. Other outcomes were comparable between the groups. Conclusion The feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy is similar between single- or multiport routes, however, the single-port route may be associated with less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and lower anxiety.

Vaginal-assisted gasless laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer: a retrospective pilot study

Background Minimally invasive surgery for early cervical cancer is debated. We developed this new vaginal-assisted gasless laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer, and we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this surgical procedure and observe the early oncologic outcomes. Methods From January 2019 to August 2020, patients with early cervical cancer who underwent vaginal-assisted gasless laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy were studied retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, pathologic outcomes, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up details of the patients were recorded. Results Forty-eight patients underwent vaginal-assisted gasless laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy were included, 14 (29.2%) with stage IB1, 13 (27.1%) with stage IB2, 7 (14.6%) with stage IB3, 10 (20.8%) with stage IIA1, and 4 (8.3%) stage with IA2. The mean age at diagnosis was 50.4 (range 28–72) years old. The mean operative time was 237.3 min (range 162–393), and the mean estimated blood loss was 246.5 ml (range 80–800). No intraoperative complications occurred, and there were no patients who were readmitted. Histological types were distributed as follows: squamous cell carcinoma 72.9%, adenocarcinoma 10.4%, and adenosquamous cell carcinoma 16.7%. There were 2 patients (4.2%) with positive nodes, 20 patients (41.7%) with positive lymphovascular space invasion, and 2 patients (4.2%) with positive parametria. Twenty-eight patients (58.3%) received adjuvant therapy after the operation. With a mean follow-up of 17.7 months (range 6–26), there were no recurrent cases, and 11 patients (22.9%) suffered lower limb lymphoedema. Conclusions The vaginal-assisted gasless laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy might be a feasible technique for early cervical cancer, with promising short-term oncological outcomes and safety. A prospective study with more patients and longer follow-up periods should be performed to further evaluate the safety and oncological outcomes.

Comparison of a new gasless method and the conventional CO2 pneumoperitoneum method in laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized clinical trial

To avoid CO2 pneumoperitoneum-associated cardiopulmonary side-effects during conventional laparoscopic surgeries, we have developed a gasless laparoscopic operation field formation (LOFF) device for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. The aim of this study is to analyze the safety and efficacy of the LOFF device for laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy and to verify its advantage of avoiding CO2 pneumoperitoneum-associated complications. In this prospective, randomized, observer-blinded clinical trial, eligible participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to undergo either conventional CO2 pneumoperitoneum assisted laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy (LESS) or the new gasless LOFF device assisted laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy (LOFF-LESS). Outcomes including intra-operative respiratory and hemodynamic parameters, operation time, conversion rate, complication rate, et al were compared between the two groups. A total of 100 patients were randomized to the LESS group [n = 50; mean (SD) age, 49.5 (13.9) years; 24 (48.0%) women] and the LOFF-LESS group [n = 50, mean (SD) age, 47.4 (13.3) years; 27 (54.0%) women]. Compared with the LOFF-LESS group, the LESS group witnessed significant fluctuations in intra-operative respiratory and hemodynamic parameters. The tracheal extubation time of the LESS group was significantly longer (P = 0.001). The gasless LOFF device is safe and feasible for simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy and has a predominance of avoiding CO2 pneumoperitoneum-associated cardiopulmonary side-effects. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000033702 Graphic abstract

Laparoendoscopic Single Site Hysterectomy: Literature Review and Procedure Description

Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) refers to a spectrum of surgical techniques that allow the performance of laparoscopic surgery through consolidation of all ports into one surgical incision. LESS has emerged as a potentially less invasive alternative to multiport laparoscopy and in the last year in gynecology; hence, this approach has been largely applied for selective indications to perform total hysterectomy. We performed a literature review on single site hysterectomy and described indications and technique, highlighting practical problems, pointers, limitations and recent technical development as robotic assistance.