Perioperative outcome and female sexual function after laparoscopic transvaginal NOTES-assisted nephrectomy

There is a concern about the impact that this surgery could have on a patient's sexuality, although this has not been well documented. The objective of our study is to describe the surgical results and assess sexual function and patient satisfaction after transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic radical and living donor nephrectomy.

Between March 2008 and October 2014, 100 women underwent transvaginal NOTES-assisted nephrectomy (78 living donor and 22 radical nephrectomy) in our centre. The procedure was performed using two different techniques depending on the indication as described previously, but using the same vaginal approach. Variables evaluated were operative time, blood loss, intra-operative complications, hospital stay, satisfaction, first-month creatinine and warm ischaemia time in donors. Sexual function was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire before and after surgery. All variables were accrued in a prospective database.

The procedure was completed in all cases. Mean age and body mass index was higher in the radical nephrectomy group. Mean operative time and hospital stay were similar for both techniques. All sexually active women reported unaltered sexual function after surgery and satisfaction with the results. The pre- and post-FSFI scores for living donor (n = 54) and radical nephrectomy (n = 4) were 27.47 ± 1.02/27.27 ± 1.10 (p > 0.05) and 31.17 ± 0.81/31.87 ± 0.97 (p > 0.05).

Transvaginal NOTES-assisted or hybrid NOTES nephrectomy offers a safe technique with excellent cosmetic results and no sexual effect. Despite promising results, randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up are warranted to further elucidate the potential of this novel technique.