title: Totally transvaginal resection of the descending colon in an experimental model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), although in its embryonic phase, is currently experiencing important developments. The technique has been successfully applied for cholecystectomies and appendectomies. However, several doubts exist as to the technical limitations and feasibility of NOTES in other clinical settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors have performed totally transvaginal colon resections in a sheep model. Although completion of the surgery was possible through the transvaginal route, the addition of a transumbilical laparoscope was used as an added safety measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Totally transvaginal resection of the sigmoid colon was performed for two sheep with no intra- or postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Totally transvaginal resection of the colon (pure NOTES) is feasible in a sheep model.
authors.affiliation: Consorcio Sanitario Publico del Aljarafe, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Bormujos (Sevilla), Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alba Mesa
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amaya Cortijo
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Romero Fernandez
authors.forename: Andrzej L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Komorowski
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sanchez Hurtado
authors.forename: Francisco Miguel
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Sanchez Margallo
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D003082:Colectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D044683:Colon, Descending / Q000601:surgery; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D013997:Time Factors; D014621:Vagina