PURPOSE: To facilitate endolumenal and natural orifice procedures, we evaluated a novel technique using external and endoscopically placed magnets in forming suture-free gastro-enteral anastomoses. METHODS: Seven anesthetized adult swine underwent endoscopic placement of differently sized magnets into the small bowel and stomach. Using external magnets, the endoscopically placed internal magnets were brought into opposition under […]
Introduction:Laparoscopic nephrectomy is replacing open radical nephrectomy as the standard of care and it can be performed by a transperitoneal and retoperitoneal approach.Data remain scanty as to whether any objective difference exists between the two approaches.NOTES may shift the decisional paradigm between the two techniques.In the attempt to establish the best way to approach the […]
IntroductionAdvantages of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in comparison to open nephrectomy are well established. The vagina is a viable route for kidney retrieval following laparoscopic nephrectomies. Conceivably, nephrectomy performed through a natural orifice could enhance cosmesis and patients recovery.Aim: to explore trans-vaginal retroperitoneal NOTES total and partial nephrectomy in the porcine model.Materials and methodsTotal […]
Initial excitement for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has been partly tempered by the reality that a NOTES procedure without laparoscopic or needleoscopic-assistance has not been widely performed. After safely performing laparoscopically-assisted transvaginal cholecystectomy in an IACUC-approved porcine model, we embarked on an IRB-approved protocol to ultimately perform a pure NOTES cholecystectomy.We describe our […]
We are presenting a one year follow up of the initial experience with a transoral method for creating an anterior fundoplication (Dor-Thal) using the MediGus endoscopic stapling system (SRS)The device is a stand alone single use flexible endoscope, which incorporates an ultrasonic range finder and a surgical stapler. The stapler fires a quintuplet of standard […]