Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery: Radical Prostatectomy in the Canine Model

Purpose: The goal of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of transurethral radical prostatectomy in the canine model. We describe the surgical procedure for natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery-radical prostatectomy (NOTES-RP). Materials and Methods: NOTES-RP was performed on six nonsurvival male canines. The 100 watt holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garne laser, 550 mu m end- firing fiber, 28F laser resectoscope, 7F stabilizing catheter, and continuous irrigation were used to radically resect the prostate. A Vest vesicourethral anastomosis was performed using a laparoscopic suture device that was delivered through the nephroscope. In the initial cases, the prostate was removed manually; for the last two cases, the prostate was removed endoscopically with a tissue morcellator. Results: NOTES-RP was successfully executed in all canines. Visualization was not obscured by bleeding. Dissection times ranged from 40 to 120 minutes. Fluid absorption was problematic in cases lasting more than 1 hour, because of the intraperitoneal location of the canine prostate and bladder. Conclusions: The feasibility and technique of NOTES-RP was successfully demonstrated in the living canine model.