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The major barrier to transumbilical endoscopic surgery is external interference between the instrument handles around the umbilicus. We describe technique of totally transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy using improved instruments. New trocars (5 and 3 mm in diameter, respectively) without proximal seal system on the sleeves were designed for this procedure. The maximum diameters of the trocars were reduced to 8 and 5 mm, respectively. The instruments used in this study were 5 cm longer than commercially available instruments. Ten cases of totally transumbilical cholecystectomy were performed successfully. All the gallbladders were removed successfully without severe bleeding during dissection, except one case of gallbladder wall perforation by cautery. Mean operating time was 62 ± 25 min (range 45–110 min). All patients were satisfied with abdominal cosmetic results, discharged 48 h after the operation, and returned to work within seven postoperative days. External interference between trocars and instruments can be partially avoided by using the improved instruments. Totally transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy becomes feasible with this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been great interest in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in recent years. We report another new approach—transumbilical endoscopic surgery (TUES)—which we have performed in 40 cases for liver cysts (3), bleeding ascites (1), chronic appendicitis (10), and gallbladder diseases (26). Transumbilical endoscopic liver cyst fenestration, abdominal cavity exploration, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy were performed in a total of 40 patients. All the operations were completed successfully except one case of intraoperative bleeding in TUES cholecystectomy which was converted to routine laparoscopic surgery. The operating times for TUES cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and liver cyst fenestration were 30–150 min,15–40 min, and 30–90 min, respectively. No postoperative bleeding or bile leakage occurred in this group of patients. Transumbilical endoscopic surgery is feasible, and would be another option for scarless abdominal surgery. TUES cholecystectomy is technically challenging. Careful selection of patients is important in the initial period of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) new technique in endoscopic surgery.