ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represents the first step toward scar-less surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate early clinical results of transvaginal cholecystectomy using a new technique. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained and transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy was performed in 12 women for cholelithiasis. A 2-channel videoendoscope was inserted in the abdominal cavity through a posterior colpotomy. Two 3-mm trocars were inserted deep in the umbilicus, and a 10-mm trocar was placed through the colpotomy parallel to the endoscope. Dissection was performed with endoscopic instruments combined with 3-mm laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 125.8 minutes. All procedures occurred without intraoperative complications or conversions, except for 1 vulvar laceration. There were no postoperative complications in the clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal NOTES is a feasible and safe alternative for cholecystectomy in this preliminary clinical experience, allowing good cosmetic benefits and low analgesic requirement.
Subject(s)
Cholecystectomy/methods , Cholelithiasis/surgery , Laparoscopy , Vagina/surgery , Body Mass Index , Cholelithiasis/pathology , Cohort Studies , Colpotomy , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Suture Techniques , Treatment Outcome , Umbilicus/surgeryABSTRACT
Transvaginal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new diagnostic and potentially therapeutic method of surgical endoscopy. The first case of NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy in a morbid obese patient in the literature is described. IRB approval was obtained at the institution for transvaginal NOTES clinical trials. A 58-year-old female patient with cholelithiasis, hypertension, and type II diabetes, and BMI of 35.8 kg/m(2) was submitted to the technique. After transvaginal access, a two-channel gastroscope was introduced into the abdominal cavity along with a laparoscopic trocar. There were 2 umbilical punctures for use of 3 mm laparoscopic equipment. Operative time was 85 min. There was no use of postoperative analgesia, and the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Transvaginal NOTES is a feasible alternative method for cholecystectomy in the morbidly obese, although available technology is limited for natural orifice surgery.
