Russell P. Atkin, MD Dr. Atkin is Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Robotics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, Mass.
Michael L. Nimaroff, MD Dr. Nimaroff is Vice Chairman and Director of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hofstra North Shore–LIJ School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY.
Vrunda Bhavsar, MD Dr. Bhavsar is a Fellow in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Robotics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hofstra North Shore–LIJ School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY.
Dr. Atkin and Dr. Bhavsar report no financial relationships relevant to this article. Dr. Nimaroff serves as a speaker for Covidien and Olympus.
By using the techniques described in this article and selecting patients carefully, the surgeon can develop expertise in SPLS.11,14 During the learning process, the use of additional ports or Mini-Lap instruments (Stryker) can reduce the challenges of more difficult procedures and should be considered without reservation, as should the use of articulating accessory instruments and flexible or angled laparoscopes.
Although the clinical benefits of SPLS have yet to be determined, the cosmetic advantage of a single, hidden, umbilical incision likely increases patient satisfaction.
Clearly, the goal of SPLS is to use technology in a way that offers all of the benefits of traditional multiport laparoscopy without any of the limitations. Further study is required to determine whether SPLS meets this standard and, more important, whether it has any advantages over conventional techniques.
