Bariatric single incision laparoscopic surgery – review of initial experience

The aim of this review was to assess the results of published experience with bariatric SILS surgery, with a particular focus on treatment feasibility and safety. An EMBASE and MEDLINE database search was performed identifying 13 articles totalling 87 patients in the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) group, 10 patients in the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) group, and 1 patient in the Roux-en-Y SILS group. In most series the learning curve was steep and operating times halved with time, reaching 53 min for LAGB and 90 min for LSG. In single case reports using strict selection criteria patients were discharged up to 24 hours following surgery. Treatment safety was satisfactory. Only two studies reported some minor complications with rates of up to 9.8%, including port malposition, port site infection, and seroma or haematoma formation. There were no complications in other studies. LAGB, LSG and Roux-en-Y surgeries were feasible although technically demanding and difficult.