Culdolaparoscopic cholecystectomy during vaginal hysterectomy.
BACKGROUND
Exploration of the abdominal cavity is routinely performed during abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomies. The visualization of the abdomen during vaginal hysterectomy, however, is not usually done. During a vaginal hysterectomy, after the uterus is removed, an opening is present in the cul-de-sac, which offers a unique opportunity for the performance of not only exploratory but also concomitant surgeries, such as a cholecystectomy.


METHODS
Culdolaparascopy is a culdoscopy assisted laparoscopic technique that utilizes a 12-mm trocar in the vagina as a multifunctional port in conjunction with laparoscopy and minilaparoscopy. A cholecystectomy was performed utilizing the vaginal trocar as an insufflation, visual, and extracting port during a vaginal hysterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Culdolaparoscopy, when performed during vaginal hysterectomy, can be used for exploration and operation in the abdominal cavity. This case report illustrates the feasibility of a cholecystectomy performed using this surgical concept.
Tsin
Daniel A
DA
Department of Gynecology, The Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, Astoria, New York, USA. lasergyn@aol.com
Sequeria
Rodrigo J
RJ
Giannikas
George
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D003464:Culdoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal