GelPOINT (Applied Medical) is a Suitable Port for Transvaginal NOTES Procedures

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess if the GelPOINT advanced-access platform and the GelPOINT mini–advanced-access platform (both from Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) are suitable ports for performing vNOTES (transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) procedures. Materials and Methods: Between March and October 2015, 110 procedures by vNOTES using the aforementioned GelPOINT ports were performed by a single surgeon (B.J.). Patients and perioperative data were analyzed. Results: Seventy-seven patients underwent vaginally assisted NOTES hysterectomy (VANH), and 33 patients underwent vNOTES adnexal surgery, including 4 salpingectomies, 25 adnexectomies, and 4 ovarian cystectomies. There were no conversions to standard laparoscopy or laparotomy, and all procedures were completed using a GelPOINT port. The mean operation times were: for VANH, 56 minutes; and for adnexal surgery, 25.5 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications and the patients' po...