Context
The surgeons have tried to reduce the size and number of ports to reduce morbidity and improve the cosmetic appearance in laparoscopic surgery.
Aims
Assessment of safety and economic value of two-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy using traction stitches after adding left-sided traction stitch to Hartman’s pouch (third stitch) to increase the range of movement (dynamicity) of gall bladder neck (puppet show technique).
Patients and methods
Between July 2017 and January 2019, 50 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were involved into this study (36 females and 14 males) their age 18–65 years (mean±SD=41.6±11.4 years). All the cases were done using two ports; umbilical and epigastric. Three traction stitches were used; one to the fundus and two to the Hartman’s pouch to its right and left sides to increase its range of movement during dissection of the Calot’s triangle (puppet show technique).
Statistical analysis used
The decreptive data were presented as mean & standard deviation (SD). Data were analyzed using the SPSS package for Windows, version 23, SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Results
The mean operative time was 55.80±18.60 min (30–120 min). There was no need for more trocars or conversion to open surgery. Intraoperative complications occurred in three cases; one had a small liver tear in the gall bladder fossa. The second case had a small diaphragmatic injury (was repaired) and the third case had bleeding from the posterior branch of the cystic artery (was controlled) and spillage of gall stones (were extracted). The postoperative pain was mild in majority of patients (48 cases) and moderate in two patients. All patients started oral feeding and movements 4 h postoperative. The mean hospital stay was 0.950±0.35 days (0.5–2 days). Economically, about $600 were saved for every case (the price of unused disposable two trocars and two graspers).
Conclusion
Two ports laparoscopic cholecystectomy with three traction stitches (after adding third stitch) (puppet show technique), is an applicable and a safe technique with more patients’ satisfaction due to less scars and better economic value.