Salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy by transumbilical single-site laparoscopy with the SILS® system

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility in everyday practice and the advantages of salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy by single-incision laparoscopic surgery with the SILS system. This single-center prospective observational study included 37 women requiring salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy who underwent single-incision laparoscopic salpingectomy with the SILS system. Information about feasibility and intra- and post-operative data were collected. The data for these patients were compared with those of a control group of 40 women treated by standard laparoscopy. Thirty-six (97%) patients were treated successfully with the SILS system. After laparoscopic confirmation of the ectopic pregnancy, salpingectomy was performed with bipolar forceps and scissors. In one case, conversion to classic laparoscopy was performed because SILS was not feasible. Compared with the control group, operative time was longer (50 ± 35 vs 35 ± 30 min, p=0.001) but duration of hospitalization shorter with single-site laparoscopy (1.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.3 ± 1.5 days, p=0.02). Laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy appears to be feasible in everyday practice by single-incision laparoscopic surgery with the SILS system and appears to reduce the duration of hospitalization. Larger series are necessary to confirm this conclusion.