Laparoscopic Transvaginal Hybrid Anterior Resection: a Prospective Data Collection

Transvaginal Hybrid Anterior Resection: three 5mm trocars are placed transabdominally (one trans-umbilical, the other two in the lower abdomen). Identification of the inferior mesenteric vein and artery. Clipping of the vein. Then placement of a 12mm trocar through the posterior fornix of the vagina for stapling of the inferior mesenteric artery. After mobilisation of the colon descendens and the splenic flexure stapling of the proximal rectum through the 12mm trocar placed vaginally. Afterwards the colpotomy is performed and the mobilised left hemi-colon is extracted transvaginally. The proximal colonic resection is performed extracorporeally in the conventional fashion with placement of a purse-string suture and insertion of the circular stapling anvil into the proximal end of the bowel. The bowel is then replaced into the abdominal cavity. The colpotomy is then closed. A circular stapler is inserted transanally and the end-to-end anastomosis is performed.