Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a state-of-the-art direction of surgical development because of its less surgical trauma, postoperative painlessness, shorter hospital stay and better cosmetic results. However, there are fewer special instruments to meet the requirements of minimally invasive surgery now.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm the feasibility of SILS, and to summarize and analyze the existing single-port access ports and multi-degree-of-freedom instruments to optimize, improve and enhance their proficiency.
METHODS: A computer-based online search of Wanfang database, CNKI database, VIP database, Springer Link database, IEEE database, Elsevier database, State Intellectual Property Office of P.R.C, United States Patent and Trademark Office; European Patent Office was performed with key words “single-port access, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, ports, multi-degree-of-freedom instruments” in English and Chinese, respectively. And the articles were mainly selected to be the most representative literatures during the last 10 years. Totally 35 literatures were included according to inspection and sorting.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At present SILS technology has become mainstream of minimally invasive surgery. The existing ports have put several ports together to be one port, which can reduce patients’ trauma. But further research should still be on its stable, economy and functional integration. The existing multi-degree-of-freedom instruments have been more flexible with the increase of joints, but their redundant transmission structure, un-efficient control system and high economic costs are still hindering the development of minimally invasive surgery technology.