Comparison of homemade versus commercialized single-access port devices for single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy: A retrospective comparative study

Background: This study aimed to compare homemade and commercialized single-access port devices in terms of short-term surgical outcomes and medical costs. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with acute appendicitis who underwent emergency single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy at two regional hospitals between August 2013 and July 2024 were retrospectively included. Patient groups using two different port devices were compared in terms of surgical results and postoperative convalescence. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to evaluate the significance of selected port devices in terms of operation time, complications, time to resume a soft diet, postoperative length of stay, and medical costs. Results: Among 182 patients, 129 patients used homemade port devices and 53 patients used commercialized port devices. The clinical and surgical outcomes were similar between the two patient groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the homemade port device was associated with a longer operation time ( β = 8.277, 95% confidence interval: 2.137–14.418, P = 0.009). Conclusions: The outcomes of the homemade port device were similar to those of commercialized port devices except for longer operation time. The advantages of less expensive equipment costs of homemade port devices would lower the economic burden for patients undergoing single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy in low-resource environments.