OBJECTIVETo study feasibility and security of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC).

METHODSClinical trials comparing SILC with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for benign gallbladder disease published from 2010 to 2012 were retrieved. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, post-operative pain, wound satisfaction score, post-operative hospital stay and post-operative complications between SILC group and LC group. A fixed effect model or random effect model was established to collect the data.

RESULTSEleven random clinical trials on 859 patients qualified for the meta-analysis, 449 patients being allocated to SILC and 410 patients to LC. There was no significant difference between SILC group and LC group for blood loss, conversion rate, post-operative pain, post-operative hospital stay and post-operative complications. However, operative time was significantly longer in SILC group than LC group (IV = 16.66, 95%CI: 9.60 - 23.72, Z = 4.62, P = 0.00). Furthermore, wound satisfaction score was significantly higher in SILC group than in LC group (IV = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.56 - 1.34, Z = 4.76, P = 0.00).

CONCLUSIONSSILC may be superior to LC in terms of cosmetic outcome, but not in operative time. Currently, SILC is a safe procedure for proper patients in experienced surgeons.