To introduce and evaluate the application of a modified two-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) assisted by the Minilap.

Clinical data of 10 patients who underwent Minilap-assisted two-port LC in the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 6 patients were male and 4 female, aged 30-68 years with a median age of 46 years. 8 patients were diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis complicated with cholecystitis and 2 cases of polypoid lesions. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Trocars were inserted at the lower margin of umbilicus and below the xiphoid process where the laparoscopy and conventional instruments were placed. The gallbladder was grasped with a Minilap with a diameter of 2.5 mm inserted below the right costal margin, and then LC was performed. Surgical conditions and complications were observed.

Minilap-assisted two-port LC were successfully performed in all 10 patients without conversion to open surgery. The median operation time was 38(25-55) min, the intraoperative blood loss was 5(2-8) ml, the postoperative pain score was 2(1-3), and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 2(1-3) d. No complications occurred during the perioperative period. The Minilap port was almost healed at postoperative 3 d. At 2 weeks after operation, the incisions at the lower margin of umbilicus and below the xiphoid process were healed in a line shape. The satisfaction degree of patients was 100%.

Minilap-assisted two-port LC yields equivalent convenience, better minimal invasiveness and aesthetic effect compared with three-port LC. Compared with single-port LC, it does not cause "chopstick effect" or require special instruments.