Approaches to surgical operation have changed and evolved widely as a result of technological advancements. The abbreviation SILS is often used for single incision laparoscopic surgery, which is also referred to by man other names. Those other names include single-port access surgery (SPA), Single-port laparoscopy (SPL), and natural-orifice trannsumbilical surgery. Other terms used are one-port umbilical surgery (OPUS), single-port incision-less conventional equipment-using surgery, laparro-endoscopic singular-site surgery (LESS), and single-access endoscopic surgery (SAES).

SILS as a technique in laparoscopic surgery is still relatively new because it was only developed recently. Because this method utilizes a single entry point into the body, it is referred to as minimally invasive. The navel is the major entry point used on most patients. Only a small scar remains after the process has been done, which is one of the reasons why this process is preferred by many people.

Entry points are typically 11 or 22 mm incisions. One small incision is utilized as a way of minimizing scarring and pain during operations. Traditional laparoscopic operation is different from this new version because it uses multiple entry points. New York is home to some of the most qualified specialists in this field. Anyone searching for surgeons who specialize in SILS should visit this city.

Specialized surgical instruments in use by SILS fall into two wide categories. These wide categories are access ports instruments and hand instruments. Some of the access ports instruments are TriPort15, the Uni-X, SILS gadgets, TriPort+, GelPOINT system, and QuadPort+. The devices are designed and made by different companies.

Conversely, three major configurations of hand instruments exist today. They are pre-bent rigid, standard, and articulating configurations. The development of standard hand tools has been happening for more than the previous 30 years. Rigid design is used in making them. SPL reduced triangulation instrument challenge has been solved through the invetion of articulation hand instruments.

A choice always has to be made between standard and articulating instruments by surgeons. Certain factors play a role in influencing that decision. Among those factors are cost, access port utilized, the level of training and skills commanded by the surgeon. It costs much more to use articulating instruments compared to using standard ones. However, the use of specialized tools promotes safety and efficiency.

The awareness of SILS among surgical practitioners is at a high level. Despite that fact, the application of SILS is restricted to a small number of surgeons. This is because it is complex, uses specialized instruments, and the space of access is limited. It takes a high level of training and skills to be able to perform the process. That plus many other factors have limited the number of people who engage in the process and it has also promoted a negative outlook from the public.

SILS has been used on a wide variety of surgical procedures. Some major examples include colectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding, sacrocolpopexy, hysterectomy, appendectomy, and nephrectomy among several others. Among European countries and the United States, standard instruments are being used more commonly compared to specialized instruments.