Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) Transvaginal Cholecystectomy
United States8 participantsStarted 2009-01
Plain-language summary
Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) describes a new field of investigational surgery which uses the endoscope as the primary operative tool. The insertion sites for the endoscope include natural orifices such as the mouth, anus, vagina, or urethra. Multidisciplinary teams of surgeons and gastroenterologists collaborate to develop safe and effective surgical techniques via the natural orifice route in order to avoid surgical incisions. Early studies have focused on transvaginal surgery as the access route to the abdomen as it sidesteps troubling questions about infection and closure of the organ. This study is a pilot study to test the feasibility to NOTES transvaginal cholecystectomy using conventional surgical and endoscopic tools.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Adult female (18 years old or over) patients who are able to provide informed consent for this surgical procedure
. Patients scheduled to undergo non-emergent surgical removal of the gallbladder
Exclusion criteria
. Inability to provide informed consent
. Patients who have a history of prior pelvic surgery (excluding Caesarian sections, tubal ligations, or non-operative pelviscopy)
. Patients who have acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, or who have had a percutaneous cholecystotomy tube placed
. Patients with a BMI \> 40 kg/m2
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.