title: Transvesical peritoneoscopy with rigid scope: feasibility study in human male cadaver.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transvesical port refers to the method of accessing the abdominal cavity through a natural orifice (i.e., urethra) under endoscopic visualization. Since its introduction in 2006, various reports have been published describing different surgical interventions using a rigid ureteroscope in a porcine model. The aim of this study was to test the access and feasibility of peritoneoscopy by using a rigid ureteroscope in a human male cadaver.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two adult male cadavers were used to perform the procedures. A rigid ureteroscope was used for the creation of transvesical access into the peritoneal cavity. Peritoneoscopy, liver biopsy, and identification and manipulation of the ileocecal appendix were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transvesical access into the peritoneal cavity was quickly established. The rigid ureteroscope easily allowed visualization of the abdominal cavity with good image quality. Liver biopsy and manipulation of ileocecal appendix were carried out without difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peritoneoscopy, liver biopsy, and ileocecal appendix manipulation using a rigid ureteroscope through a transvesical port is feasible in a cadaver model. The development of a specific rigid scope for the transvesical port might herald a promising future for this NOTES access.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, and Department of Urology, Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Frederico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.forename: Giovannalberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osório
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cavadas
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Versos
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Autorino
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Correia-Pinto
authors.forename: Estevao
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020709:Ureteroscopes