Application of the prone position in myomectomy by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Introduction: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new concept of minimally invasive surgery. It could prevent complications related to the trocar in laparoscopic surgery, and help achieve ideal cosmetic outcomes.

Aim: To describe the safety and feasibility of the prone position in transvaginal NOTES (V-NOTES) resection of posterior uterine myoma.

Material and methods: Seventeen patients were included in the study from February to December 2019. All the patients were diagnosed with solitary posterior uterine myoma and underwent V-NOTES myomectomy in the prone position. We measured the characteristics and the surgical outcomes of these patients, to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the prone position in V-NOTES myomectomy.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.71 ±7.68 years and the mean body mass index was 22 ±2.02 kg/m². Five patients had a cesarean section once, and 1 patient had a history of two operations (cesarean section and laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The remaining patients had no history of surgery. The mean myoma volume in the ultrasound report was 121.99 ±125.24 cm³. The mean operation time was 107.48 ±34.16 min. The mean hemoglobin decrease 48 h after the operation was 1.37 ±0.66 g/dl. The mean weight of the myoma was 183.88 ±144.29 g. The mean VAS score 12 h and 24 h after surgery was 2 ±0.87 and 1.18 ±0.73, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.18 ±0.39 days. One patient was converted to TU-LESS. No other complications such as massive hemorrhage, infection or injury occurred.

Conclusions: The prone position in V-NOTES myomectomy is safe and feasible. It expands the operative space and reduces the difficulty of surgery. Perhaps it can be used as a standard position for posterior uterine myomectomy by V-NOTES.