Single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy

Background: The results of a prospective consecutive series of single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy procedures are presented. Methods: Right colonic resections were performed by a single-incision laparoscopic technique between February and December 2009. Surgical outcomes were recorded in a prospective database. Results: Twenty-two consecutive procedures were completed by single-incision laparoscopic colorectal surgical resection. All patients were alive at 30 days. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days. Morbidity was encountered in six patients. Pathological examination of the resected specimen showed adenocarcinoma in 13 patients, adenoma in five, carcinoid in two, Crohn's disease in one patient and an intussuscepting lipoma in one. Clearance from the pathology was greater than 5 cm in all cases and the median lymph node harvest in patients with cancer was 17 (range 10-30). Conclusion: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a possible approach to right colonic resection with potential for minimal access advantages.