title: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic radical prostatectomy: initial perioperative and pathologic results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the first clinical experience, pathologic, and perioperative outcomes of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) radical prostatectomy. NOTES represents the evolution of minimally invasive surgery. The conceptual feasibility has been shown in careful laboratory and animal studies, but a scarcity of information regarding clinical applications exists.
  
  
  METHODS
  After institutional review board approval, 2 patients agreed to undergo NOTES radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. The prostate was radically resected using a 26F resectoscope, 550-μm laser fiber, and holmium laser. The prostate was delivered into the bladder and removed at the conclusion of the procedure through a suprapubic cystotomy for histopathologic analysis. The vesicourethral anastomosis was completed using a cannula scope, urethral-vesical suturing device, and titanium knot applier. Cystograms were taken immediately postoperatively and at catheter removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients tolerated the procedure without operative complications. All intraoperative cystograms showed watertight anastomoses. The pathologic examination revealed Gleason score 3 + 3 and Stage pT2aNxMx for 1 patient and Gleason score 3 + 4 and Stage pT2cNxMx for 1 patient, with negative margins for both. No blood transfusions were required. Patient 2 experienced some left-sided gluteal and suprapubic pain postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NOTES radical prostatectomy appears to be a safe and feasible option for the management of carefully selected, organ-confined prostate cancer. The perioperative and pathologic outcomes show promise with this new technique; however, the high standards of oncologic and functional outcomes demand close and longer follow-up before adoption into the surgical armamentarium can be recommended.
authors: Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA. Humphreys.mitchell@mayo.edu
authors: Mitchell R
authors: MR
authors: Humphreys
authors: Jude S
authors: JS
authors: Sauer
authors: Anthony R
authors: AR
authors: Ryan
authors: Kevin O
authors: KO
authors: Leslie
authors: Erik P
authors: EP
authors: Castle
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Lingeman
authors: Paul E
authors: PE
authors: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*