First Transoral and Transvaginal Cholecystectomies Performed in Human Trial

Back in 2007 we reported on the first transvaginal cholecystectomy. Since then the field of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery has slowly progressed with research mainly focusing on optimization of the used techniques. However, now the first multicenter human trial of laparoscopic transvaginal and transoral cholecystectomy versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy has started and the first gallbladders have been removed by both routes. In both cases one abdominal incision was still made for the camera and insufflation, but the surgical procedure itself was completely performed trough the mouth and vagina. The study is conducted by the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR), a joint effort of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and approximately 200 patients will be enrolled in the clinical trial.
Press release: NOSCAR Announces First NOTES Transoral and Transvaginal Gallbladder Removals Performed as Part of U.S. Multicenter Human Trial…
Consortium website: NOSCAR…
Image credit: Wellcome Images…