Impact of Single-port Laparoscopic Approach on Postoperative Pain and Cosmesis for Acute Appendicitis: A Comparison with Multi-port Laparoscopic Approach

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency. Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) has been suggested potential advantages including less postoperative pain and better cosmesis. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain and cosmetic outcomes between SPLA and multi-port laparoscopic appendectomy (MPLA) for acute appendicitis.Materials and methods: The study included 47 patients who underwent SPLA and 51 patients who underwent MPLA for acute appendicitis between August 2014 and November 2017. The patient scar assessment questionnaire (PSAQ) was used to assess cosmetic outcomes. Results: MPLA involved a longer median operative time than MPLA (60 vs. 47.5 minutes, p=0.02). There were no apparent differences in the time before diet tolerance, length of hospital stay, inflammatory laboratory findings including C-reactive protein and white blood cell count, and postoperative complication rate. SPLA patients had a smaller total incision length (2.0 vs. 2.5 cm, pConclusion: SPLA is safe and feasible and provides better cosmetic outcomes and less analgesic requirements on the day of surgery compared to MPLA.