Endoscopy 2009; 41: E49-E50
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1214483
Unusual cases and technical notes

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without visible scar. Combined suprapubic and transumbilical approach: the ”Minden cholecystectomy”

B.  Gerdes1 , E.  Gitei1 , O.  Akkermann1 , J.  Prasse-Badde1 , C.  Schmidt1
  • 1Department of General Surgery, Johannes Wesling Klinikum Minden, Minden, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2009 (online)

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a promising technique especially for cholecystectomy. During the last 2 years the combined transvaginal and transumbilical approach without visible scars [1] became a real alternative to standard four-trocar cholecystectomy in several institutions [2] [3] [4]. However, clearly this method cannot be used in men, and there might be psychological or cultural barriers preventing women from agreeing to cholecystectomy through the vagina. Therefore, we developed the Minden method for minimally invasive cholecystectomy by transposing the vaginal approach to a suprapubic position in a region normally covered by pubic hair.

In November and December 2008, two women (56 and 49 years old, respectively) underwent operations for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. A 30° conventional optic (Karl Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) was inserted through a 5-mm intraumbilical trocar. A 10-mm trocar was inserted via a suprapubic incision. The gallbladder was fixed to the abdominal wall by a suture ([Fig. 1]). The infundibulum was manipulated by a 5-mm grasper introduced through the suprapubic access alongside the camera trocar in one patient and by a 2-mm grasper in the second patient. Following dissection of the Calot’s triangle via the umbilical access, the cystic duct and cystic artery were clipped with a 5-mm multifire clip device (Ligamax 5 Endoclip applier, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) ([Fig. 2]). When dissection of the gallbladder was complete it was retrieved by a bag (EMP 100, IFM Gerbershagen, Mindelheim, Germany), which had been inserted through the suprapubic trocar. The operation times were 69 and 89 minutes, respectively, using standard laparoscopic instruments. The postoperative course was uneventful ([Fig. 3] and [4]).

Fig. 1 The operating setting. The dissection instrument is introduced through an umbilical 5-mm trocar. A 30° camera and a grasper are introduced via a suprapubic incision, and the fundus of the gallbladder is secured to the anterior abdominal wall. The surgeon is standing between the legs of the patient.

Fig. 2 Intraoperative situs. The cystic artery and the cystic duct are clipped and transected. The fundus of the gallbladder is secured to the anterior abdominal wall by a suture. The infundibulum is manipulated by a grasper, inserted through a suprapubic incision.

Fig. 3 Postoperative photography of the abdominal wall of the first patient 4 weeks after surgery with (a) and without (b) covering pants: the 5-mm intraumbilical incision is hidden in the umbilicus and the 10-mm suprapubic incision is located in the area of suprapubic hair. The 2-mm puncture for a subsidiary instrument at the right abdominal wall can be seen.

Fig. 4 Postoperative photography of the abdominal wall of the second patient a day after surgery: the 5-mm intraumbilical incision is hidden in the umbilicus and a 10-mm suprapubic incision is located in the area of suprapubic hair.

Methodologically, the Minden method is only slightly different from conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thus, in contrast to NOTES techniques using flexible instruments, one can expect a minimal learning curve when trained laparoscopic surgeons switch to the Minden technique, which uses the same instruments as those with which they were trained.

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References

  • 1 Zornig C, Emmermann A, van Waldenfels H A, Mofid H. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without visible scar: combined transvaginal and transumbilical approach.  Endoscopy. 2007;  39 913-915
  • 2 Zornig C, Mofid H, Emmermann A. et al . Scarless cholecystectomy with combined transvaginal and transumbilical approach in a series of 20 patients.  Surg Endosc. 2008;  22 1427-1429
  • 3 Cardoso R A, Murakami A, Galvao N M. et al . NOTES transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy: first series.  Endoscopy. 2008;  40 572-575
  • 4 Zornig C, Mofid H, Emmermann A. et al . Combined transvaginal and transumbilical approach for cholecystectomy with no visible scarring.  Chirurg. 2008;  Epub ahead of print

B. GerdesMD 

Johannes Wesling Klinikum Minden

Hans Nolte Strasse 1
32429 Minden
Germany

Fax: +49-571-5092716

Email: berthold.gerdes@klinikum-minden.de