The initial experience of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery in laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSE) is an extension of minimally invasive colorectal surgery. NOSE was introduced into the unit in January 2024 in selected group of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial experience of NOSE surgery in minimally invasive surgery colorectal surgery in terms of feasibility and safety outcomes. Prospective data was collated for all cases of NOSE in colorectal surgery from Jan 2024 to Dec 2024. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, underlying pathology, pre-, intra- and post-operative outcomes. There were 17 cases considered for NOSE surgery. Eight cases had successful transvaginal NOSE and six cases had successful transanal NOSE. The median age was 68.5 years (range 36-87 years). The median ASA was 3 (range 1-4). All the transvaginal NOSE were performed with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for neoplasia. Of the six transanal NOSE, four were performed for benign and two for malignant indications. There were no intraoperative complications with no conversion to open surgery. There were no post-operative complications especially anastomotic leak, ileus, wound infection, and extraction-site related complications in transvaginal NOSE cases. There was one anastomotic leak in transanal NOSE that required laparoscopic washout and defunctioning ileostomy. All the neoplasia cases achieved satisfactory oncological outcomes (R0 resection & adequate lymph node yield). The median follow-up was 6 months (range 2-11). The early experience of NOSE in colorectal surgery is safe and feasible in well selected group of patients. It avoids abdominal wall trauma from extraction with reduction of wound infection, pain and long-term risk of incisional hernia.