Umbilicoplasty via Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (TANKO) has been developed in an attempt to improve cosmetic results. However, TANKO is often more technically difficult than multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MLPS) because of the restricted mobility; furthermore, several prospective randomized controlled trials have shown that TANKO has only cosmetic advantages. Moreover, if TANKO is performed on a patient with a shallow umbilicus and sparse subcutaneous adipose tissue, the umbilical scar may be highly visible because of the requirement of a larger periumbilical skin incision for TANKO, compared to MLPS. To resolve this problem, we describe a method of umbilicoplasty using TANKO for removal of ovarian tumors in three patients. All three patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result.