Colonoscopy assisted laparoscopic sigmoidectomy: a case report

INTRODUCTION We report a case of colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic sigmoidectomy used for the management of sigmoid volvulus. CASE PRESENTATION We report a 68-year-old female who underwent colonoscopy assisted laparoscopic sigmoidectomy. In this procedure, an anvil is inserted into the anus with colonoscopic assistance. An anastomosis is established without removing the colon from the abdominal cavity, and the maximum incision size is approximately 2 cm, similar to that in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The risk of infection is lower compared with pure laparoscopic surgery, in which an incision is made for extracting the tissue specimen without opening the colon within the abdominal cavity to maintain anastomosis. The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery without complications. CONCLUSIONS We believe that this new technique is a feasible approach for the treatment of benign lesions, particularly sigmoid volvulus, which is generally large enough to allow insertion of the anvil.