Transvaginal appendectomy by endoscopy in canine models / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of transvaginal appendectomy by endoscopy in canine models.Methods Six female dogs weighing between 12-15 kg underwent transvaginal appendectomy by endoscopy.A small incision at posterior fornix of the vagina was made endoscopically by a needle knife and then dilated by a balloon dilator.After the endoscope entered the peritoneal cavity,the appendicular artery was clipped and the appendix was dissociated,and then the free appendix was ligated by an endoloop near root and removed by snare cutting.The appendix was then removed through the vaginal port.Finally,the vaginal incision was closed by clipping and endolooping.Two weeks after the procedure,the animals were sacrificed for anatomic investigation.Results Endoscopic transvaginal appendectomy was successfully performed in all animals with a mean operating time of (94.2±41.8) min.Complicated bleeding occurred in 1 dog and rectal burn in another during the operation.All the experimental animals survived the post operative period for 2 weeks without any complications.Post mortem examination revealed that the wound and vaginal incision healed well.Conclusion Transvaginal appendectomy by endoscopy is safe and feasible in a canine model,while further study and progression of appropriate accessories are needed for future clinical use.