Evaluation of pain scores after single-incision and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized control trial in a rural Indian population.

INTRODUCTION

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is considered to be less invasive and have less morbidity than conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). However, there is a relative paucity of data regarding postoperative pain scores in rural Indian populations following SILC. Also, data pertaining to the applicability of SILC in rural Indian population are scant.

METHODS

In the present randomized control trial, pain scores after SILC and CLC were evaluated. Sixty patients with gallstone disease were randomly assigned to one of two groups with 30 patients each: the CLC group and the SILC group. Postoperative pain scores were recorded on the visual analog scale at 8 hours, 24 hours and 7 days after surgery.

RESULTS

The patients were comparable with respect to age, sex and BMI. Operative time was longer for the SILC group (47.73 ± 5.57 min vs 69.53 ± 8.96 min; P < 0.0001).The pain scores were similar in both groups at 8 hours (3.61 ± 0.41 vs 3.50 ± 0.51; P = 0.36) and 24 hours (3.30 ± 0.59 vs 3.20 ± 0.40; P = 0.44) postoperatively. On day 7, the SILC group had lower pain scores than the CLC group (2.56 ± 0.56 vs 1.16 ± 0.37; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

There was no distinct advantage to SILC with regard to immediate postoperative pain. Pain was significantly less (P < 0.01) in the SILC group on postoperative day 7.