Clinical NOTES appendectomy study: comparison of transvaginal NOTES appendectomy in hybrid technique with laparoscopic appendectomy.

PURPOSE

The proposed advantages of NOTES are aimed to assess the comparison with standard procedures. Complications are a major focus of its evaluation. We initiated a prospective comparison between transvaginal hybrid appendectomy versus laparoscopic appendectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

For each, NOTES and laparoscopic appendectomy, 10 consecutive female patients participated in the study with follow-up documentation for 35 days and after 1 year. Transvaginal appendectomy was considered a non-standard medical procedure and required individual patient's consent. Pre- and postoperative gynecological examinations were performed. Questionnaire-based evaluation included issues related to quality of life in addition to objective clinical findings. The study is approved by the ethics committee of the University of Rostock.

RESULTS

All women returned questionnaires for evaluation. Age and BMI are comparable. Overall procedure time was significantly shorter in laparoscopy. The only postoperative complication consisted of an intra-abdominal abscess after laparoscopic appendectomy. One patient of the NOTES group suffered from new abdominal pain 3 weeks postoperatively; a mini-laparoscopy showed a normal situation. Significant differences (p < 0.05) of the questionnaire-based comparison with advantages for the NOTES group were found in following items: reduced activity at day 1-14, postoperative pain at day 1, general health conditions at day 1-3 and quality of life at day 3. NOTES patients wished significantly earlier to be discharged and started significantly earlier with activities, but no differences existed after 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal flexible appendectomy appears to be a safe procedure performed in hybrid technique. Data from the study point to shortened recovery intervals and improved quality of life.