Abstract

We investigated and compared 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus standard 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials & methods: The present study included 60 patients who will be undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were divided into two groups:Three-port group, and Four-port group. Patients were randomized to receive either 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (3-port group) or conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (4-port group) in a synchronized manner. All operations were performed by specialist laparoscopic surgeons under general anaesthesia. Our primary outcome measure was pain score. Assessment of the pain score was done by using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The time taken for four port group was significantly less than the time taken for three port group which came out to be statistically significant. 6.67 percent of the patients of the three port group were converted to four port. 3.33 percent of the patients each of both the study groups were converted to open cholecystectomy. Mean VAS was comparatively higher among patients of four port group in comparison to three port group. Conclusion: The three port technique is as safe as the standard four port for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The main advantages of the three port technique are that it is less painful, safe, and leaves few scars.

Description