Single-site laparoscopic appendectomy in children using conventional instruments: a prospective, randomized, control trial

Purpose Single-site laparoscopic surgery (SSLS) is still only used in limited situations to treat children with appendicitis. Using conventional laparoscopic (CL) equipment to perform SSLS appendectomy is considered a valuable application in China. This prospective randomized trial aims to evaluate the surgical outcome of SSLS and CL appendectomy using CL equipment. Methods Sixty patients were recruited and randomly assigned to receive SSLS or 3-port CL appendectomy between February 2011 and June 2013. Each case of SSLS appendectomy was performed using CL instruments. Surgery outcomes, including operative time, conversion rates, postoperative complications, hospital stays, and hospital costs were evaluated. Results Patient characteristics were similar between groups. The SSLS using CL instruments was successful in all the 30 patients and no conversions occurred. Mean operative time was longer in the SSLS group than the CL group (64.3 ± 3.1 vs 53.0 ± 2.9 min, respectively; p = 0.000). Complication rates, lengths of hospital stay, and hospital costs were similar between the two groups. Conclusions The findings of this study demonstrate that using conventional instruments to perform SSLS is technically feasible and safe in children. Although SSLS appendectomy does increase the operative time, it does not increase the complication rate and hospital cost.