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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Single Port Donor Nephrectomy
Published on: March 12, 2011
Pure natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy
Jihad H Kaouk1, Georges-Pascal Haber, Raj K Goel
1Center for Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. kaoukj@ccf.org
Abstract:
Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) within urology has largely been limited to experimental animal studies and diagnostic procedures in humans. Attempts to complete a pure NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy have thus far been unsuccessful. We report the first clinical experience with pure NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy. A 58-year-old woman presented with recurrent urinary tract infections and an atrophic right kidney. Transvaginal access was obtained through a 3-cm posterior colpotomy. The right kidney was mobilized, the renal hilum was divided, and the specimen was removed through the vaginal incision. Operative time was 420 min. Estimated blood loss was 50 ml. There were no perioperative complications.
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