Pure-transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) ovariohysterectomy in bitches: a preliminary feasibility study

摘要

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a relatively new surgical access for minimally invasive surgery, which is being widely studied in human medicine. However, few studies focusing on its applicability in the small animal practice have been performed so far. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of pure-NOTES transvaginal ovariohysterectomy in bitches. Five bitches were evaluated. The abdomen was accessed through an 11mm trocar inserted through a vaginal incision. Using a rigid endoscope with working channel, the ovarian pedicles were coagulated and sectioned using bipolar diathermy. The uterine horn was pulled into the trocar and exteriorized along with the cannula. The uterine body and vessels were coagulated or ligated. The uterine stump was replaced into the abdominal cavity and the pneumoperitoneum drained. Pure-NOTES OHE was successfully accomplished in four out of five bitches. In the first try, it was converted to a hybrid-NOTES technique due to instrument failure. Mean surgical time was 52.1 (SD±11.5 minutes) for the pure-NOTES technique. Pure-NOTES OHE is feasible in bitches, which may result in no major complications and excellent surgical recovery.