Objective To investigate the impact of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endo-scopic surgery(NOTES)-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy on female sexual function and quality of life . Methods This was a prospective study on the change of female sexual function and quality of life of female patients who underwent transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy from May .2011 to Nov. 2012.A total of 42 cases were included in this study (28 of them with severe hydronephrosis , non-functio-ning kidney , 11 with pyelonephrosis , 1 with renal tuberculosis , 1 with duplex kidney complicated with hy-dronephrosis, and 1 with renal angiomyolipoma ).The mean age was 36.9±5.3 (26-45) years, and the mean body mass index was 21.7±2.6 (14.7 to 27.1) kg/m2.Twenty-four cases were operated on the left side, 18 cases on the right .The female sexual function and quality of life were assessed before and 4 months, 7 months and 1 year after surgery using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Results The mean FSFI of 42 cases preoperatively and 4 months, 7 months and 1 yr postoperatively were 27.74 ±4.34, 27.19 ±4.49, 28.54±4.23, and 28.68 ±4.19, respectively.There was no statistically significant difference among them (F=1.111, P=0.346).Compared with that of preoperation , the physical function, vitality, metal health, body pain, and general health of the patients were improved , but the role-physical, role-emotion and social function were not improved at postoperative month 4 and month 7 (P<0.05).Each item of SF-36 was im-proved after postoperative 1 year ( P<0.05) . Conclusions Transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic ne-phrectomy does not cause negative effect on the female sexual function .The quality of life can be improved after operation .The physical function is improved at early stage , and the psychological function as well .

Objective To describe the initial clinical experience of transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. Methods From May to June 2010, 4 female patients with non-functioning kidney and 1 female patient with renal tuberculosis underwent transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy. The median age was 41 years (range 36 to 63). Three lesions were on the right side, and 2 on the left. After induction of general anesthesia, the patients were positioned in lithotomy with ipsilateral lumbar at 60° angle to the operating table. A 5 mm Trocar and a 10 mm Trocar were placed through the umbilicus, and a 10 mm Trocar for 30° laparoscope was placed through the posterior vaginal fornix under direct vision. The kidneys were put into a home-made bag and removed via the incision of posterior vaginal fornix after there were completely resected. Results The 5 procedures were successfully finished. The median operative time was 190 (range 150 to 260)min. The median estimated blood loss was 185 (range 150 to 210) ml. There were no intra-operative or postoperative complications. The patients resumed ambulation 1 day after surgery, and resumed nutrition 2 days after surgery. The drainages were removed on postoperactive day 3. The patients were discharged on postoperative day 7. The incision in vagina healed well. Conclusions Transvaginal NOTES-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy is feasible and reproducible. This novel technique may provide additional benefits related to postoperative pain, recovery, and cosmetic results even when compared to today's minimally invasive procedures.

Objective To describe our experience with the transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in female patients,and to evaluate its clinical value.Methods Between May 2010 and April 2017,a total of 289 female patients underwent transvaginal NOTES in our center,including 31cases of adrenal tumors,46 cases of renal tumors,188 cases of non-functional kidneys,5 cases of renal cysts,4 cases of duplex kidney,7 cases of renal tuberculosis and 8 cases of renal pelvis tumors.Among them,146 cases were on the left side,142 cases on the right side,and 1 case on both sides (renal cysts).The median age was 39.4 (range 23 to 76) years,and the median body mass index was 21.8(range 15.4 to 32.6) kg/m2.After general anesthesia,the patients were positioned in lithotomy with ipsilateral lumbar at 30°-60° angle to the floor.Hybrid and pure transvaginal NOTES were performed.The specimen was removed through an extended incision at the posterior vaginal fornix.Results Transvaginal NOTES was successfully completed in 281 patients.Two patients required conversion to suprapubic-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery because of the rectal injury in pure transvaginal NOTES nephrectomy.Six patients underwent open conversion.The various transvaginal hybrid NOTES procedures included adrenalectomy (31 cases),nephrectomy (206 cases;simple 174 cases,radical 32 cases),partial nephrectomy (13 cases),heminephroureterctomy for duplex kidney (4 cases) and hybrid endoscopy for nephroureterectomy (7 cases).The mean operative time was 105 min (45-310 min),the mean estimated blood loss was 87 ml (20-800 ml),the mean visual analogue score (VAS) of 48 hours after operation was 2.5 (1-4) points and the mean hospitalization was 7.3 d (4-13 d) for transvaginal hybrid NOTES.The various pure transvaginal NOTES procedures included nephrectomy (22 cases;simple 21,radical 1),renal cyst excision (5 cases).The mean operative time was 170 min (60-320 min),the mean estimated blood loss was 140 ml (20-500 ml),the mean VAS of 48 hours after operation was 1.7 (1-3) points and the mean hospitalization was 5.5 d (3-10 d) for transvaginal pure NOTES.Complications occurred in 56 cases (19.38％),including 20 cases (6.92％) of severe complications,and no death occurred.After a mean follow-up of 51 (range 3 to 86) months,umbilicus scar was hidden.The incision in the vagina healed well.No infection in the abdominal or pelvic cavity or celiocele occurred.The umbilicus scar is not obvious after surgery,and 3 months after surgery.The median Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) score was 38 (31-58) and the median Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score was 28.2 (22.5-32.2),and the quality of life index was significantly higher than that of preoperation.Condusions Transvaginal NOTES could treat variousprimary diseases,and improve the postoperative quality of life.It does not increase the incidence of related complications,or cause negative effect on the female sexual function,pregnancy or fertility.It can lead to good cosmetic outcome and less pain,which is worth applying in clinical practice.