Single port transumbilical total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH): initial experience in Korea

Single port access surgery can be the next generation of minimally invasive surgery. It has been tried in various diseases of surgery, urology, and gynecology. It was introduced in Korea and its field is widening. Total hysterectomy is the most common operation in gynecology. However, single port total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) had been hardly performed due to technical difficulties. Author has successfully performed single port transumbilical TLH and right adnexectomy in a patient who had adenomyosis, uterine myoma, and right ovarian serous cystadenoma. One laparoscope and 2 instruments were inserted in 3 cannulas of the port that was made up with a wound retractor and a surgical glove. Laparoscopic suturing was done after total hysterectomy and right adnexectomy. During the operation, only commonly used laparoscopic instruments (straight and rigid) were used. All the procedures were completed without any complications and there were neither postoperative complications nor visible scars. Author reports the first single port transumbilical TLH case in Korea that showed satisfying results.