To investigate the clinical effect of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and double-port LC in treating patients with cystic artery variation.

Retrospective analysis of clinical data were performed in 62 patients underwent LC from January 2016 to February 2018. According to the different surgical methods, they were divided into single-port group (29 cases) and double-port group (33 cases). Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS24.0 software. Measurement data such as perioperative indicators and pain scores were represented as (±s) and were examined by using independent t test. Postoperative complications were analyzed by using χ² test. A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistical significant difference.

The variation of cystic artery in both two groups mostly originated from the right hepatic artery (40.3%, 25/62) or the variant right hepatic artery (29.0%, 18/62). Most of the variant gallbladder arteries enter the gallbladder from its neck / left side (37.1%, 23/62) or from both sides of the gallbladder respectively. The operation time, hospitalization time, pain scores of 6 hours after operation, utilization rate of analgesics and the satisfaction of incision were all better in the single-port group than those in the double-port group respectively (P<0.05). There were no significant difference between the two groups in terms of complications after surgery or during follow-up (P>0.05).

Both transumbilical single-port LC and double-port LC are safe and feasible in treating patients with cystic artery variation.However transumbilical single-port LC is worthy of clinical promotion with less trauma and rapid recovery after surgery.