Current status of single-incision laparoscopic surgery: European experts' views.

Recent advances in minimally invasive surgery have centered on reducing the number of incisions required, which has led to the development of the single-incision laparoscopic technique. A panel of European single-incision laparoscopy experts met to discuss the current status of, and the future expectations for, the technique. The experts reached agreement on a number of statements and recommendations, which will support surgeons in adopting the technique. The panel agreed that the single-incision technique may offer a number of benefits to patients; however, further clinical data need to be published to confirm its value. An ideal training route for surgeons who are adopting the technique was agreed upon, as was the need for a single, large clinical registry of data.