Minilaparotomy with rectus muscle sparing: a personal technique for cholecystectomy.

The present paper describes a minilaparotomy technique characterized by an horizontal incision of the skin and two successive vertical incisions which run along distinct sagittal as well frontal planes, sparing, thus, the rectus muscle. This approach, in comparison to other minilaparotomy techniques, ensures a reduced incidence of incisional hernia, decreased postoperative pain and optimal cosmetic results. The technique is useful when laparoscopic cholecystectomy is contraindicated or the laparoscopic apparatus is not available.