Transgastric endoscopic peritoneoscopy does not require decontamination of the stomach in humans

Vimal K. Narula, Lynn C. Happel, Kevin Volt, Simon Bergman, Jason C. Roland, Rebecca Dettorre, David B. Renton, Kevin M. Reavis, Bradley J. Needleman, Dean J. Mikami, E. Christopher Ellison, W. Scott Melvin, Jeffrey W. Hazey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a rapidly evolving field that provides endoscopic access to the peritoneum via a natural orifice. One important requirement of this technique is the need to minimize the risk of clinically significant peritoneal contamination. We report the bacterial load and contamination of the peritoneal cavity in ten patients who underwent diagnostic transgastric endoscopic peritoneoscopy. Methods: Patients participating in this trial were scheduled to undergo diagnostic laparoscopy for evaluation of presumed pancreatic cancer. Findings at diagnostic laparoscopy were compared with those of diagnostic transgastric endoscopic peritoneoscopy, using an orally placed gastroscope, blinding the endoscopist to the laparoscopic findings. We performed no gastric decontamination. Diagnostic findings, operative times, and clinical course were recorded. Gastroscope and peritoneal fluid aspirates were obtained prior to and after the gastrotomy. Each sample was sent for bacterial colony counts, culture, and identification of species. Results: Ten patients, with an average age of 63.7 years, have completed the protocol. All patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy followed by successful transgastric access and diagnostic peritoneoscopy. The average time for laparoscopy was 7.2 min, compared with 18 min for transgastric instrumentation. Bacterial sampling was obtained in all ten patients. The average number of colony-forming units (CFU) in the gastroscope aspirate was 132.1 CFU/ml, peritoneal aspirates prior to creation of a gastrotomy showed 160.4 CFU/ml, and peritoneal sampling after gastrotomy had an average of 642.1 CFU/ml. There was no contamination of the peritoneal cavity with species isolated from the gastroscope aspirate. No infectious complications or leaks were noted at 30-day follow-up. Conclusions: There was no clinically significant contamination of the peritoneal cavity from the gastroscope after transgastric endoscopic instrumentation in humans. Transgastric instrumentation does contaminate the abdominal cavity but, the pathogens do not mount a clinically significant response in terms of either the species or the bacterial load.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1331-1336
Number of pages6
JournalSurgical endoscopy
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Endolumenal surgery
  • Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery
  • Transgastric surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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