title: Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy with transanal specimen extraction: a bridge to NOTES?
abstract: The combination of standard laparoscopy and specimen extraction through a natural orifice has the potential to decrease wound related complications. We describe the technical approach to laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in which the specimen is extracted transanally through a proctoscope. Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy with transanal specimen removal avoids an abdominal wall extraction incision and may be considered an alternative approach to conventional minimally invasive sigmoidectomy in patients with disease of the sigmoid or left colon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, Mariaziekenhuis Noord-Limburg, Overpelt, Belgium. joep@knol.be
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knol
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Hondt
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Dozois
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanden Boer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malisse
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D020700:Proctoscopes; D012811:Sigmoid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult