Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy using the Gelport system for early colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has spread quickly during the past twenty years, and has become one of the important treatments in the field of colorectal surgery. Recently, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been studied as the next generation of minimally-invasive surgery, but the feasibility and safety of the NOTES method have not been evaluated. In such a situation, single-incision laparoscopic surgery has attracted interest from surgeons worldwide. However, single-incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery has not yet been standardized.

METHODS: From February 2010, single-incision laparoscopic colectomy was performed for 7 patients presenting with early colon cancer. All procedures were performed by two experts with the License of Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) of Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery (JSES) in the field of colorectal Surgery.

RESULTS: We used the Gelport system (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) as the access port and 3 trocars of different sizes (Ethicon, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA). Using this technique, we did not experience any difficulties or use any articulated instruments. All of the present 7 patients underwent the single-incision laparoscopic colectomy successfully and had no complications.

CONCLUSION: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery using the Gelport was performed safely in the present cases. The use of the Gelport as an access port can address the technical difficulty associated with this new technique.