New hybrid approach for NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy: preliminary clinical experience

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.

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.

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.

Transvaginal NOTES is a feasible and safe alternative for cholecystectomy in this preliminary clinical experience, allowing good cosmetic benefits and low analgesic requirement.