Would you rather have 3,4,5 incisions or just 1?
Do you know that a traditional open gallbladder surgery requires a big 6-inch incision and a Standard laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, though less invasive, still requires four incisions!
An exciting new modality & amongst the latest techniques in the field of Minimally invasive surgeries is Single Incision laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) which replaces the 3 or more incisions with a single incision near the belly button.
How is it performed?
Laparoscope & surgical instruments are inserted into the abdominal cavity, through a single minute
incision in the abdomen. The incision is usually made near the patient’s umbilicus (navel), where it is easily hidden, resulting in a virtually scar less surgery.
Who is a candidate for SILS?
SILS is a rapidly evolving technique that has been successfully used by surgeons to operate on Patients needing SILS is a rapidly evolving technique that has been successfully used by surgeons to operate on Patients needing appendix surgery appendix surgery, select cases of Gall bladder surgery and even those opting for Bariatric surgery via sleeve gastrectomy.
 Patients may not be eligible if they have had multiple major abdominal surgeries or if there is severe inflammation as both these conditions limit visibility and movement inside the abdomen.
Key benefits of Single Incision Surgery
In comparison with traditional laparoscopy, the most significant advantage of SILS is the single incision/cut, which significantly reduces pain and expedites their recovery. SILS is also cosmetically more effective than conventional laparoscopic surgery because it is virtually scar less.
Since the instruments are usually inserted through the belly button, the resulting scar is concealed by the navel. Patients who experienced SILS are also happier in terms of cosmetic results, shorter hospital stay and pain perception.
| Particulars | Open Surgery |
Laparoscopic Surgery | Single Incision Lap. Surgery |
| Incision/Cut Size | Large incision (8–10 cm) | 3-4 punctures of 5-10 mm | Single incision of approximately 1 cm |
| Recovery Time | 1 -2 weeks | 2-3 days | 1 – 2 days |
| Blood Loss/Blood vessel injury | More | Less | Minimal |
| Scar Marks | Ugly | Present, may be ugly | Scar less; excellent cosmesis |
| Hernia and Infection | Common | Less | Less |
| Pain | Severe and Common | Moderate | Minimal |
Dr. Aditya Shriya Consultant – GI, Laparoscopic & HPB Surgery Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Jaipur