[Single-port access cholecystectomy : current status].

Single-port access surgery (SPA), the most recent development in laparoscopic surgery allows operations to be carried out through only a single incision using special multichannel ports. By the use of a smaller access tissue trauma and access-related complications, such as wound infections, adhesions and incisional hernias can be decreased considerably. Because of less postoperative pain earlier mobilization of patients can also be achieved. By placing the access transumbilically, e.g. in SPA cholecystectomy (SPA-CHE), the scar is perfectly covered achieving an optimal cosmetic result. Meanwhile various so-called single ports and camera systems have been developed. Great importance is attached to the development of special (double) bended and/or articulating instruments because with these instrument triangulation is possible through only one incision. Nevertheless the stereoscopic situation in SPA-CHE implicates some factors related to retraction, exposition and release of the gallbladder but some difficult situations can be managed safely with some tips and tricks.Because of the already worldwide spread of SPA-CHE this technique will soon become an established minimally invasive technique. However, appropriate studies confirming the clear advantages of the technique are still lacking.