Background: This is a prospective pilot study done to evaluate the feasibility and to assess the outcomes and complication rates of the single-incision sleeve gastrectomy versus the conventional five-port laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
Methods: A prospective comparative analysis was done of 50 patients in each arm who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and single-incision sleeve gastrectomy from September 2009 until April 2010. Both groups were matched for age, gender and BMI and were then randomly assigned to either group. Postoperative pain scoring was done using the visual analogue scale. Postoperative outcomes in terms of pain scores, excess weight loss, resolution of comorbidities and complication rates were compared in both groups, at the end of 6 months.
Results: Operating times in both groups were comparable with experience. Intraoperative blood loss was similar in both groups. VAS scoring revealed lesser postoperative pain after the first 8 h in the single-incision group as compared to the laparoscopy group-P < 0.0001. At 6 months, excess weight loss and resolution of comorbidities were comparable in both groups. There were no major complications or mortalities in either group.
Conclusions: Single-incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a feasible surgical procedure for morbid obesity in selected individuals. When compared to conventional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, it has equally effective weight loss and resolution of comorbidities. It also has the added benefits of little or no visible scarring and reduced postoperative pain.