Hysterectomy by vaginal-assisted natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: Initial experience with twelve cases

OBJECTIVE To declare our initial experience on hysterectomy cases performed using vaginally-assisted natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted with data from 12 patients in our department who were recommended for hysterectomies for various indications between January 2017 and May 2017. The following data were collected retrospectively: age, body mass index (BMI), parity, previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, total operating time, preoperative hemoglobin (Hb), postoperative Hb, peri-operative complications and Visual Analogue Scale scores for evaluating postoperative pain. All patients were laid in the dorsal lithotomy position under general anesthesia. A cervical circumcision, as well as anterior and posterior colpotomy were performed. A self-constructed glove port was then inserted through the anterior and posterior colpotomy openings into the abdominal cavity. After pneumoperitoneum was achieved, a 10-mm rigid zero-degree telescope, disposable conventional laparoscopic grasping forceps, and a tissue sealer were used as standard equipment. After exploration of the abdominal cavity, all uterine vessels and ligaments were sealed and transected using the tissue sealer. After removing the uterus, the vaginal opening was closed using a Vicryl 1-0 suture. RESULTS The following are the mean values for each variable: patients' age: 55.75±9.8 years (range, 43-72 years), BMI: 29.4±5.4 kg/m2 (range, 21-42 kg/m2), operation duration: 66.8±25.3 min (range, 42-120 min), decrease in Hb: 1.5±1 (0-4) gr/dL, and hospital stay: 2.1±0.3 (2-3) days. There were no vaginal wound infections or dehiscence, and no patients reported pain during postoperative pelvic examinations. CONCLUSION Although these findings are from our initial experience, we can affirm the feasibility of this technique.