Three-port versus four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a comparative study at a tertiary care centre in North India

Abstract

Background: Improvement of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) technique in terms of reduction in size and number of ports is being tried to improve patient satisfaction and outcome. Present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the safety outcome and advantages of three-port and four-port LC. Methods: This prospective study included 90 patients presenting with symptomatic gall stone disease or gall bladder polyp more than 1cm at base. Patients with jaundice and choledocholithiasis were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: A and B, who underwent three-port and four-port LC respectively. Outcomes of the two groups were assessed and compared in terms of duration of surgery, intra-operative and post-operative variables including rate and nature of complications, conversion rates, post-operative pain, duration of hospital stay, return to work and cosmetic outcome.Results: Statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of Visual Analogue Score for pain at 6 and 24 hours, analgesic requirement, duration of hospital stay and return to work; all being less in the three- port LC group. Cosmetic outcome as perceived by patients was also better in the three-port group. Results of other variables were comparable in the two groups. Conclusions: Three-port procedure is safe and appears to be more cost effective than four-port LC. If LC is performed by an experienced surgeon, it can be started with three ports, if required, a fourth port can be inserted.