Reducing invasiveness of laparoscopic surgery using natural orifices and abdominal wall defects for extraction of the specimen

Abstract

Introduction: Due to significant technical evolution complex surgeries can be performed laparoscopically nowadays. However, laparotomy is needed frequently for the extraction of the specimen, which decreases the advantages of laparoscopy. Aim: The aim of the authors was to analyse and present their experience on the use of natural orifices and abdominal wall defects for extraction of the surgical specimen. Method: From 2009 the authors used natural orifices (stomach, vagina, rectum) when viscerotomy was an obligate part of laparoscopic surgery and, in a special gastrointestinal laparoscopic operation, the gate of the inguinal hernia for specimen extraction. Results: In 3 patients benign lesions of the stomach were extracted using gastroscope. In 6 patients with bowel endometriosis, in whom the wall of the vagina was completely infiltrated, the resected bowel was extracted transvaginally, and in 5 patients transrectal extraction of the specimen was performed. In 2 patients the inguinal hernia was used for the surgical specimen extraction after laparoscopic sigmoid resection, and in one patient a single-port was inserted into the gate of the hernia during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Complications occurred only after transvaginal specimen extraction (rectovaginal fistula in 2 patients). Conclusions: Use of natural orifices and abdominal wall defects for surgical specimen extraction further decreases the invasiveness of laparoscopic surgery, if indications made appropriately. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(14), 552–557.