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Background: Over the last decade new innovative minimally invasive techniques (e.g. transvaginal cholecystectomy and single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy) have been developed to reduce operative trauma, postoperative pain and to achieve better cosmetic results. Nevertheless, most of these techniques are more difficult and time-consuming than conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). A new approach, the Minden technique for combined suprapubic transumbilical cholecystectomy (MI-CHE) has been proven to provide a very good cosmetic outcome with reduced operative trauma. The aim of this study was to survey whether MI-CHE prolongs operation times to a relevant degree compared to CLC., Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized between both techniques. The duration of the operation and other perioperative data were recorded. Surgery was performed by four resident surgeons who had not yet performed any technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, neither MI-CHE nor CLC but were assisted by the same senior staff surgeon in all cases. The two patient groups showed no differences in age, gender and body mass index. The study was registered (DRKS00003271). Non-inferiority was tested using 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)., Results: The mean operation time was shorter by - 4.2 min (95% CI, + 6.4 min to - 14.8 min) in the MI-CHE as compared to the CLC group (65.5 min versus 69.7 min). There were no open conversions but in one patient intestinal injury occurred during the umbilical mini-laparotomy. There were no differences in patient satisfaction and perioperative pain between both procedures., Conclusion: The MI-CHE, which provides very good cosmetic results, is not more time-consuming than CLC. Additionally, it seems to be safe and not more difficult to learn than CLC.

As essentially all operations performed with open laparotomy can be completed with minimal access, surgeons and industry continue to push the boundaries of minimally invasive surgery. New and controversial approaches, such as natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single incision or single port surgery are being explored with the goal of reduced surgical morbidity. The fundamental idea of single port surgery is therefore to minimize the number of abdominal wall incisions and allow access for all laparoscopic instruments through one skin incision. Several techniques in use require specialized equipment with multiple ports through one umbilical incision or one multichannel port. For single port surgery to be widely adopted surgeons must demonstrate safety, efficacy and reproducibility of the technique across a wide range of patients and clinical scenarios. In order to meet these requirements concerns about well-founded surgical training and quality monitoring must be addressed as with any major technical advance.

"Scarfree" surgery is a desired goal in the world of laparoscopy and interventional endoscopy. One possibility to achieve this goal is abdominal access via a natural orifice (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, NOTES); however, this procedure and its applications lack an appropriate platform. Further possibilities are reduced port techniques or single port access surgery, which result in minimal scarring. Development and continued growth in this area cover a broad spectrum. Although acceptance has been demonstrated, the technique must be adopted in a safe and effective manner and must be economically and ecologically safe. This article gives an overview of the development of the technique, the learning curve, and new applications for this new technique. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.