Cholecystectomy by Single Trocar Access (SITRACC): The First Multicenter Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The advent of endoscopic surgery has radically changed surgery worldwide.The concept of minimally invasive procedures has spread quickly, allowing less pain and more rapid recovery for patients. The authors have developed a device for a new surgical approach, the so-called single trocar access (SITRACC). This study report the first multicenter study of cholecystectomies performed with SITRACC. METHODS: Between December 2008 and June 2009, 81 single trocar cholecystectomies were performed in 9 Brazilian surgery centers. RESULTS: The average operative time was 68 minutes. In all, 10 surgeries required 1 additional trocar because of technical problems, and 3 cholecystectomies were converted to standard video laparoscopies. CONCLUSION: A cholecystectomy using the SITRACC method is feasible and safe.