Pain, well-being, body image and cosmesis: A comparison of single-port and four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: This study aims to compare post-operative pain, well-being, body image and cosmesis in SILS cholecystectomy and four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (FPLC). Material and methods: Forty-two consecutive patients (15 SILS, 27 FPLC) undergoing elective cholecystectomy were included in the study. Peri-operative pain, well-being, body image and cosmesis were evaluated using validated assessment tools. Results: Significantly lower pain scores were reported one week post-operatively in the SILS group (5.6 vs 8.3; p = 0.035). No significant difference was found in analgesic requirements, physical or mental well-being at any time interval. Significantly higher (favourable) body image questionnaire scores were reported in the SILS group at one week (5.4 v 4.5; p < 0.01), two weeks (5.6 vs 4.8; p < 0.01) and one month (5.7 vs 5.0; p < 0.01) post-operatively. Conclusion: SILS patients have significantly reduced one-week pain scores and there was no significant difference in well-being between the two groups. Patients who underwent SILS had improved body image and cosmesis. If both techniques are found to be equivalent concerning safety, cost, learning curve and availability, SILS may play a key role in the new era of patient choice.

Key words::

• Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS)
• laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• pain
• well-being
• body image
• cosmesis

Declaration of interest

The authors, Aslanyan A, Sodergren MH, McGregor CGC, Purkayastha S, Malhotra S, Darzi A, Paraskeva P have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose. There were no sources of funding or grants specifically received for this research.