Pham Duc Duy, MD, from the General Surgery Department at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, presented a study on transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy for the treatment of acute appendicitis at the 2026 Annual Congress of the Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA). Conducted under the professional supervision of Nguyen Thanh Tam, MD, PhD, Head of the Surgery Department at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, the study evaluated the clinical outcomes and feasibility of this minimally invasive technique, with a focus on improving patient experience and postoperative recovery.
The 2026 Annual Congress of the Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA) was held from September 17 to 19 in Hue City under the theme “Pioneering Innovation in Minimally Invasive Surgery.”
As one of Asia’s major scientific events in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, the congress is expected to feature more than 1,000 delegates from 37 countries, including leading experts, surgeons and physicians from Vietnam and abroad. The congress provides a platform for updating new surgical techniques, sharing clinical experience and promoting the use of safe, minimally invasive approaches to support better postoperative recovery.
During the congress, Pham Duc Duy, MD, from the General Surgery Department at Hong Ngoc General Hospital, represented the hospital in presenting a study on transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis.
Conducted under the professional supervision of Nguyen Thanh Tam, MD, PhD, the study drew on clinical practice at Hong Ngoc General Hospital and examined the technique’s preliminary outcomes and feasibility for broader application in minimally invasive surgery.
Unlike conventional three-port laparoscopic surgery, single-incision laparoscopic surgery uses only one access site, usually at the umbilicus, to introduce the camera and surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity. Reducing the number of abdominal incisions limits disruption to the abdominal wall, while the umbilical incision also offers a cosmetic advantage.
For patients with acute appendicitis who require surgery, selecting the appropriate approach is intended not only to treat the inflammation effectively but also to minimize invasiveness, reduce abdominal wall trauma and support postoperative recovery.
However, single-incision laparoscopic surgery is technically demanding because all instruments are operated through the same access site. The procedure therefore requires an experienced surgeon with strong instrument control and the ability to assess each patient’s condition accurately. Depending on the severity of appendicitis and the patient’s clinical characteristics, the surgeon will select the most appropriate approach to ensure safety and treatment effectiveness.
At Hong Ngoc General Hospital, minimally invasive surgical techniques are regularly updated and applied in the treatment of a wide range of surgical conditions. Transumbilical single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy is also routinely performed in appropriately selected cases, providing patients with an additional treatment option.
Pham Duc Duy, MD, represented Hong Ngoc General Hospital at ELSA 2026, providing the hospital’s surgical team with an opportunity to share its clinical experience at a major regional forum for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery, while strengthening professional exchange with experts and surgeons from Vietnam and abroad.
This participation also reflects Hong Ngoc General Hospital’s commitment to keeping pace with advances in surgery, developing minimally invasive techniques and improving treatment quality to support a smoother recovery for patients.
