Published online May 21, 2022. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i19.2112
Peer-review started: December 19, 2021
First decision: March 10, 2022
Revised: March 23, 2022
Accepted: April 15, 2022
Article in press: April 15, 2022
Published online: May 21, 2022
Processing time: 148 Days and 20.8 Hours
Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) gallbladder-preserving surgery by flexible endoscopy is an emerging technology. However, the gallbladder fails to obtain traction and positioning functions during the operation.
To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new surgical method, “snare-assisted pure NOTES gallbladder-preserving surgery”.
Eight miniature pigs were randomly divided into the experimental group [NOTES gallbladder-preserving surgery using the snare device, snare assisted (SA)] and the control group (NOTES gallbladder-preserving surgery without using the snare device, NC), with four cases in each group. The differences between the two groups of animals in operating time, operating workload, complications, adverse events, white blood cells, and liver function were determined.
No differences were found in the surgical success rate, gallbladder incision closure, white blood cell count, or liver function between the two groups. The total operating time, gallbladder incision blood loss, gallbladder disorientation time, gallbladder incision closure time, and workload scores on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index were significantly reduced in the SA group (P < 0.05).
These results indicated that snare-assisted pure NOTES gallbladder-preservation surgery using standard endoscopic instruments reduced the difficulty of operation, shortened operation time, and did not increase complications in pigs. A new method for pure NOTES gallbladder-preservation surgery was provided.
Core Tip: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a new surgical method, “snare-assisted pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) gallbladder-preserving surgery”. Eight miniature pigs were randomly divided into an experimental group [snare assisted (SA)] and a control group. The total operating time, gallbladder incision blood loss, gallbladder disorientation time, gallbladder incision closure time, and workload scores on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index were significantly reduced in the SA group. These results indicated that snare-assisted pure NOTES gallbladder-preservation surgery reduced the difficulty of the operation, shortened the operation time, and did not increase complications.