Hybrid Transvaginal NOTES and Mini-Laparoscopic Colectomy: Benefit Through Synergy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hybrid-natural orifice surgery combines the advantages of traditional transabdominal laparoscopic surgery, while limiting surgical trauma to the abdominal wall. Among various routes of intra-abdominal access, the transvaginal method is most appealing because of its utility and proven safety. We describe a series of 4 colonic resections performed with this approach, combined with minilaparoscopy and needlescopic approaches, and discuss the technical aspects, efficacy, and applicability of this technique. METHODS: Three patients were selected to undergo hybrid transvaginal natural-orifice right hemicolectomy. A fourth patient, who underwent a segmental resection of a splenic flexure carcinoma, was included. Transvaginal port access was obtained via posterior colpotomy, and was used for dissection, vascular ligation, bowel division, and anastomosis. We used a combination of standard laparoscopic, minilaparoscopic, and needlescopic instruments transabdominally, focusing on reduced size and number of access points. RESULTS: Duration of laparoscopy, oncologic outcomes and rate of operative morbidity were comparable to the published literature. Early return of gastrointestinal function and low analgesic requirements was observed in all patients. No morbidity related to transvaginal access was observed and the procedure was performed without difficulty in all cases. CONCLUSION: Colonic resection performed by hybrid natural-orifice technique offers several advantages over purely transabdominal laparoscopic procedures. Transvaginal access is easy to perform and offers excellent safety, efficacy, and versatility, especially for right hemicolectomy. Techniques to reduce abdominal wall surgical trauma, such as minilaparoscopy and needlescopic graspers, can be combined effectively in colonic resections, and may act synergistically to reduce postoperative pain and improve outcomes.

Vacuum Stabilization of the Spleen in Laparoscopic Splenectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recovery from laparoscopic splenectomy is greatly enhanced when compared with recovery from the laparotomy approach, yet a minority of spleens are removed laparoscopically. The spleen is smooth, rounded, and vascular, making it difficult to directly grasp, stabilize, or retract laparoscopically. The LiVac Retractor is a laparoscopic liver retractor comprising a soft silicone open ring that apposes 2 substantially planar surfaces when a vacuum is applied. It was evaluated for its efficacy in stabilization of the spleen during 2 laparoscopic splenectomies. METHODS: The 2 patients gave consent for laparoscopic splenectomy with splenic retraction using the LiVac Retractor. The entire 3-port laparoscopic procedure was video recorded, with the resected spleens weighed as wet specimens. The patients' postoperative courses are described. RESULTS: The spleen was retracted securely for the duration of the hilar dissection in both patients. Exposure of the splenic hilum was excellent. There were no visible signs of injury to either spleen and recovery of both patients was unremarkable. CONCLUSIONS: The LiVac Retractor provided stable retraction and excellent exposure of the splenic hilum during both laparoscopic splenectomies, without organ injury. Early hilar dissection with vascular control was facilitated, reducing the risk of bleeding from other components of the dissection.