-Case Reports-

Mimic Mini-laparoscopic Surgery is a Simple and Secure Approach Using Direct Placement of 3-mm Trocars without Noticeable Scars

Masao Ichikawa, Shigeo Akira, Eri Hamano, Shuichi Ono, Katsuya Mine and Toshiyuki Takeshita

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School

Minimally invasive surgery is widely used in gynecology. Women who seek a cosmetic advantage (i.e., concealed scars) choose minimally invasive surgery. Although laparoendoscopic single-site surgery could be an ideal solution, some of our patients have had cosmetic problems, such as pigmentation and cicatrix of the umbilicus. In addition, umbilical eversion and umbilical herniation occasionally develop. Therefore, mini-laparoscopic surgery using 3-mm trocars can be recommended for patients who do not want the natural appearance of the navel to be altered. We have developed an approach to achieve a superior cosmetic outcome by direct placement of 3-mm trocars in the lateral wall of the abdomen and at the lower border of the pubic hair. We refer to this method as mimic mini-laparoscopic surgery and report cases in which this procedure was used.

J Nippon Med Sch 2013; 80: 78-82

Keywords
mini-laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, ovarian cystectomy, laparoendoscopic single-site surgery

Correspondence to
Masao Ichikawa, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan
masai@nms.ac.jp

Received, February 7, 2012
Accepted, May 10, 2012