Abstract

Fitzroy Hamilton38688*, Ben Thouet38689, Simon Morton38690, Terence Elliott38692, Hermann Thouet38693, Karl-Heinz Vestweber38694 and Boris Vestweber38696

Background: Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) is attractive because it uses 1 umbilical incision for preparation and extraction of the specimen. However, the procedure is technically demanding compared to conventional laparoscopy, and it is unclear if it is possible to adopt this procedure in an isolated community like Bermuda with a small hospital.

Methods: Since the introduction of SILS in Bermuda by an experienced SILS surgeon, 230 patients who underwent SILS colon procedures from 2012-2018 were reviewed. The data were analyzed according to intra- and postoperative events and outcomes. The results were compared to internationally published data.

Results: There was a low operative time of 127.8 (40-305) minutes. There were only 4 conversions to open surgery (1.7%). The overall complication rate was 11.7% (27 patients). There were 2 postoperative deaths (0.9%). These data are within the range of internationally published data.

Conclusion: Initiated and guided by an experienced SILS surgeon, the adoption of single-port colon surgery in Bermuda was successful, and the SILS procedure now belongs to the standard procedures for colonic operations in Bermuda.