Transvaginal Cholecystectomy Using Endoscopic Assistance

Plain-language summary

Surgical removal of the gallbladder is needed in 1 million people per year in the USA. The procedure is done by placing four tubes (cannula) from 5 to 10 mm through the abdominal wall. Air is placed in the abdominal cavity and a lighted scope is placed through one cannula. The space in the abdominal cavity can then be seen on a video screen. Thin retractors and dissecting instruments are placed through the other cannula and the gallbladder is removed using the video screen for vision. The gallbladder duct and the artery are usually occluded with clips or stitches. In this study we propose to do the procedure though a single 5 mm incision placed at the umbilicus and a second access through the vagina using a flexible endoscope. The gallbladder will be retracted using strings (sutures) attached to the gallbladder. The dissection will be done using laparoscopic instruments (scissors, knives, dissectors) placed through the laparoscopic port. A flexible grasper may be used in the endoscope to help with retraction. An endoscopic snare or grasper will be used to grasp the gallbladder and remove it from the abdomen through the vagina. This study evaluates the ability to do laparoscopic cholecystectomy with one skin incision and one vaginal incision. This will provide the basis for future studies evaluating decreased pain and costs with transvaginal assisted cholecystectomy.

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