What is MIS?
Everyone that is a member of this subgroup knows that the acronym for minimally invasive surgery is “MIS”. Initially this term had a narrow definition that referred to laparoscopic surgical techniques involving a laparoscope, ports (umbilical and left/right quadrant ports) and various grasping devices to assist general surgeons in performing surgery inside the body without reaching their hand inside the body. Unfortunately, the term MIS has gradually been corrupted by marketing folks to also include less invasive techniques open techniques that involve inserting other not so small devices into the body through small incisions.

Benefits of MIS:
– Small Incisions
– Fewer Stitches
– A faster recovery for the patient
– Less pain
– Resuming normal activity faster
– Shorter hospital stays
– Reduction of postoperative morbidity
– Lower total cost of care to both the patient and insurance plan

What are the benefits of single-port laparoscopic surgery?
Single-port laparoscopic surgery is another innovation that may further improve surgical outcomes. SILS was first attempted more than 30 years ago, but SILS did not gain popularity until Podolsky, et al. reported on a single-port cholecystectomy procedure. There are multiple surgical devices available now for single-port procedures:

– Covidien’s SILS
– Advanced Surgical Concepts’ TriPort
– SurgiQuest’s AirSeal DFS
– Applied Medical’s GelPOINT

The greatest benefit of single-port surgery is improved cosmetics resulting from one surgical incision hidden in the umbilicus rather than several small abdominal scars. The benefits may also include:

– Less pain
– Reduction in complications related to trocar insertion
– Easier specimen removal through a single, larger incision
– Reduction in infection rates
– Elimination of epigastric vessel injury
– Decreased visceral organ herniation
– Easier fascia closure
– Decreased risk of herniation

The disadvantages are higher cost and technical difficulties of the procedure. There is also a lack of randomized, controlled trials comparing single-port laparoscopy with conventional multiple-port procedures.

If anyone is aware of recently published or unpublished studies, please share them with the group. I would also be interested to hear your general opinions on single-port techniques.

If you have any suggestions for future announcements to the group, please let me know by email (rob@13485cert.com) or you can fill in the suggestion box on my website: http://bit.ly/QA-RA-Suggestion-Box. You might also be interested in joining Joe Hage’s QA/RA Subgroup that I manage.

source: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2526855/2526855-5973752647193239555