You can't make this stuff up. Following is a report of the removal of three kidneys through the umbilicus (see: Laboratory And Clinical Development Of Single Keyhole Umbilical Nephrectomy). Below is an excerpt from the article (boldface emphasis mine):
There is increasing interest for a new surgical technique called Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)....These laparoscopic surgeons are using one skin incision at the umbilicus to place a 10 mm and two 5 mm ports to perform transperitoneal nephrectomy ....However, despite [certain] limitations they were able to perform 3 clinical laparoscopic nephrectomies in reasonable operative time ...with no complications. The nephrectomy for tumor still required a 4.5 cm incision for intact removal of the specimen. The question remains whether this is any better for the patient than three or four, 5 to 10 mm, incisions.
I must confess that I am fascinated by the idea of performing endoscopic surgery using "natural orifices" such as the anus. Should the need ever arise, I may be able to suggest the name of candidates for brain surgery using this same NOTES technique.
LOL!!!
Posted by: bev MD | April 14, 2008 at 07:35 AM