[Comparison between transvaginal and laparoscopic cholecystectomy - a retrospective case-control study]

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Innovation
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is gaining traction in specialized centers.
• Potential benefits of NOTES include scarless surgery and improved patient recovery.
• Controlled studies comparing NOTES to conventional methods are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transvaginal cholecystectomy (TV-ChE) compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LAP-ChE).
• To assess patient outcomes, including pain, recovery, and complications, for both surgical approaches.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case-controlled study involving 47 women undergoing TV-ChE and 46 women undergoing LAP-ChE.
• Evaluation of intraoperative parameters, postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, nausea/vomiting, and hospital stay.
• Comparison of demographic data and complication rates between the two groups.

Main Results:

• TV-ChE patients reported significantly less postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting compared to LAP-ChE patients (p < 0.001).
• Lower analgesic consumption (opiates and non-opiates) was observed in the TV-ChE group.
• Shorter recovery room duration (40 vs. 60 minutes) and hospital stay (3 vs. 4 days) were noted for TV-ChE, with fewer complications (1/47 vs. 4/46).

Conclusions:

• Transvaginal cholecystectomy is a safe and less invasive surgical technique.
• TV-ChE demonstrates advantages over LAP-ChE, including better cosmetic outcomes, reduced analgesic needs, and faster recovery.
• Prospective controlled studies are recommended to confirm these findings.