Project description:PurposeNatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a novel technique in minimally invasive surgery whereby a flexible endoscope is inserted via a natural orifice to gain access to the abdominal cavity, leaving no external scars. This innovative use of flexible endoscopy creates many new challenges and is associated with a steep learning curve for clinicians.MethodsWe developed NOViSE-the first force-feedback-enabled virtual reality simulator for NOTES training supporting a flexible endoscope. The haptic device is custom-built, and the behaviour of the virtual flexible endoscope is based on an established theoretical framework-the Cosserat theory of elastic rods.ResultsWe present the application of NOViSE to the simulation of a hybrid trans-gastric cholecystectomy procedure. Preliminary results of face, content and construct validation have previously shown that NOViSE delivers the required level of realism for training of endoscopic manipulation skills specific to NOTES.ConclusionsVR simulation of NOTES procedures can contribute to surgical training and improve the educational experience without putting patients at risk, raising ethical issues or requiring expensive animal or cadaver facilities. In the context of an experimental technique, NOViSE could potentially facilitate NOTES development and contribute to its wider use by keeping practitioners up to date with this novel surgical technique. NOViSE is a first prototype, and the initial results indicate that it provides promising foundations for further development.
Project description:Patient benefits from natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) are of interest in acute-care surgery. This review provides an overview of the historical development of NOTES procedures, and addresses their current uses and limitations for intra-abdominal emergency conditions.A PubMed search was carried out for articles describing NOTES approaches for appendicectomy, percutaneous gastrostomy, hollow viscus perforation and pancreatic necrosectomy. Pertinent articles were reviewed and data on available outcomes synthesized.Emergency conditions in surgery tax the patient's cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and fluid and electrolyte balance. The operative intervention itself leads to an inflammatory response and blood loss, thus adding to the physiological stress. NOTES provides a minimally invasive alternative access to the peritoneal cavity, avoiding abdominal wall incisions. A clear advantage to the patient is evident with the implementation of an endoscopic approach to deal with inadvertently displaced percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes and perforated gastroduodenal ulcer. The NOTES approach appears less invasive for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis, in whom it allows surgical debridement and avoidance of open necrosectomy. Transvaginal appendicectomy is the second most frequently performed NOTES procedure after cholecystectomy. The NOTES concept has provided a change in perspective for intramural and transmural endoscopic approaches to iatrogenic perforations during endoscopy.NOTES approaches have been implemented in clinical practice over the past decade. Selected techniques offer reduced invasiveness for patients with intra-abdominal emergencies, and may improve outcomes. Steady future development and adoption of NOTES are likely to follow as technology improves and surgeons become comfortable with the approaches.
Project description:Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause gonadal dysfunction in women of reproductive age. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is performed to restore fertility by allowing transplantation of the patient's frozen-thawed ovarian tissue or through future in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization of frozen-thawed oocytes. Herein, we describe our initial experience with vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for ovarian tissue preservation in a young woman with malignant tumor. A 23-year-old woman with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive malignant lymphoma was scheduled for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after experiencing relapse following R-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone therapy. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation was selected as only MII2 oocytes were collected. Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery was performed to excise the left ovary. Ovarian tissues were frozen using the vitrification method. The operative time was 37 min, and blood loss was minimal. Pathological examination revealed no metastatic findings of malignant lymphoma and no thermal damage to the ovarian tissue due to bipolar disorder. The patient was discharged on the first day postoperatively, and her postoperative course was uneventful. The vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery technique can provide a safe and effective alternative to laparoscopy or laparotomy for the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue in young patients with cancer. We believe this method has potential application in sexually mature female cancer survivors.
Project description:This current case report describes an elderly woman with pyometra that underwent successful vaginal hysterectomy and transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) bilateral adnexectomy after conservative anti-inflammatory drug treatment. The patient had a history of transvaginal delivery so this approach was considered the most appropriate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate the use of vaginal hysterectomy and vNOTES bilateral adnexectomy in an elderly patient with pyometra. The necessary steps to the procedure are shown in a narrated instructional video.
Project description:Adhesion at the vesicouterine fold presents a great challenge when performing hysterectomy through transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopy surgery (NOTES) in women with a history of cesarean section. An attempt to lyse adhesions often prolongs the procedure and may inadvertently result in cystostomy. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate a safe technique for the lysis of vesicouterine adhesions during NOTES hysterectomy. We present the cases of two patients with a history of cesarean section. Severe adhesions at the vesicouterine peritoneum were encountered in both cases, and one patient had an extensive adhesion involving lower half of the uterus. Although the lateral approach is sufficient in most cases, it does not allow a surgeon to approach the peritoneal cavity if there is extensive adhesion. In cases such as these, direct dissection of the adhesion on the uterus is required.
Project description:IntroductionTransvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) is an emerging technique in the area of minimally invasive surgery. Vaginal leiomyoma is a rare benign tumor, with only a few cases being reported in the literature. we demonstrate a novel approach for excision of a vaginal leiomyoma via vNOTES. To ensure reproducibility and replicability akin to a standardized procedure, we have provided a step-by-step video description of the use of vNOTES for upper anterior vaginal myomectomy.Patient concernsA 35-year-old female (G2P0A2) presented with a tumor in the upper anterior vaginal wall, which gradually increased in size.DiagnosisA vaginal examination revealed a swollen area approximately 3-cm in diameter on the upper anterior vaginal wall. The swelling was mobile and solid. All other vitals were normal. Transvaginal ultrasound detected a 3.0 × 3.4 cm hypoechogenic mass on the superior vaginal wall, and a preoperative diagnosis of the vaginal tumor was confirmed.InterventionsThe upper vaginal leiomyoma treated using transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.OutcomesThe procedure lasted for 20 min, and the postoperative course was uneventful.ConclusionsvNOTES can be a promising alternative to traditional vaginal surgery for upper vaginal disease due to advantages such as excellent exposure, easy access and precise suturing. However, more studies are needed to assess its long-term efficacy.
Project description:IntroductionNatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) uses natural body orifices to access the cavities of the human body to perform surgery. NOTES limits the magnitude of surgical trauma and has the potential to reduce postoperative pain. This is the first randomised study in women bound to undergo hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease comparing NOTES with classical laparoscopy.Methods and analysisAll women aged 18-70 years, regardless of parity, consulting at our practice with an indication for hysterectomy due to benign gynaecological disease will be eligible. After stratification according to uterine size on clinical examination, participants will be randomised to be treated by laparoscopy or by transvaginal NOTES. Participants will be evaluated on day 0, days 1-7 and at 3 and 6 months. The following data will be collected: the proportion of women successfully treated by removing the uterus by the intended approach as randomised; the proportion of women admitted to the inpatient hospital; postoperative pain scores measured twice daily by the women from day 1 to 7; the total amount of analgesics used from day 1 to 7; readmission during the first 6 weeks; presence and intensity of dyspareunia and sexual well-being at baseline, 3 and 6 months (Short Sexual Functioning Scale (SSFS) scale); duration of surgery; postoperative infection or other surgical complications; direct and indirect costs incurred up to 6 weeks following surgery. The primary outcome will be the proportion of women successfully treated by the intended technique; all other outcomes are secondary.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved on 1 December 2015 by the Ethics Committee of the Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium. The first patient was randomised on 17 December 2015. The last participant randomised should be treated before 30 November 2017. The results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific meetings within 4 years after starting recruitment.Trial registration numberNCT02631837; Pre-results.
Project description:Objective: To evaluate feasibility and safety of hysterectomy and adnexal procedures by vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES). Study Design: This is a prospective observational study at a tertiary center and teaching University hospital. We enrolled prospectively 34 patients with benign diseases sequentially. Results: We measured baseline characteristics, surgical data, and pain score (VAS) after surgery. We surveyed before/after surgery. The time of port installation and each stage of surgery was measured. The learning curve was assessed through the graph according to the number of operations using linear and logarithmic regression curve estimation. The complications of surgery were investigated. The median age of the patients was 47.5 years (38-73). Median BMI was 22.4 (18.2-30.0). 20 cases of leiomyoma, four cases of adenomyosis, three cases of uterine prolapse, four cases of endometrial hyperplasia, and three cases of CIN were diagnosed. The median uterine weight was 180.0 g. The median port-installation time was 15.0 min (range, 4-35 min) and median total operation time was 85.5 min (range 43.0-132.0). Complications occurred in three patients. Two cases of bladder injury happened during vesicovaginal space dissection before the installation of the Wound Retractor (WR). One patient underwent transumbilical single-port surgery because of late-onset postoperative bleeding on the 13th postoperative day. The mean postoperative VAS scores were 3.36 immediately after surgery and 3.06, 2.79, and 2.45 at 6, 12, and 24 h after surgery, respectively. In continuous variable analysis, we detected a correlation between port-installation time and postoperative VAS ≥4 (pain score as need for medication). Based on a learning curve, port-installation time and total operation time appeared to reach the proficiency level by the 10th case. Conclusions: Although there were three complications, vNOTES offers advantages to patients and surgeons. More surgical techniques will be developed in vNOTES.