Transvaginal Specimen Extraction in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Resections: Initial Experience of a Tertiary Referral Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of the present (this) study is to present the initial experience of a single team on specimen extraction from the vagina after laparoscopic or robotic colorectal resections. Patients and methods: Between January 2010 and April 2015, ten female patients whose resection specimens had been extracted transvaginally after robotic or laparosopic colorectal resections were evaluated in terms of short and mid term postoperative outcomes. Results: 10 cases were included. The operations were robotic rectal resections for cancer (n=6), laparoscopic total colectomy for transverse colon tumor (n=1), single port laparoscopic transumbilical right colectomy for Crohn’s disease (n=1), laparoscopic rectal resection for endometriosis (n=2). In one patient, a vaginal bleeding occurred on postoperative day 7 and a vaginal tampon was inserted and the bleeding was stopped. One patient had a urinary tract infection, it was treated with proper antibiotic therapy. The median postoperative hospital stay was 5 (4-9) days. No mortality occurred. Conclusion: Transvaginal specimen extraction is feasible after colorectal resection and could prevent additional skin incision and its potential complications.