A novel flexible endoscope-based transumbilical fenestration of liver cyst

Laparoscopic procedure as a minimally invasive surgery had been introduced into many abdominal surgery. Smaller incisions of the abdominal wall reduce postoperative pain and the risk of wound complications, and provide an excellent cosmetic result compared with open surgery. Flexible endoscope-based transgastric, transcolonic, or transvaginal surgery for abdominal exploration, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and tubal ligation may further reduce the surgical invasion. But current endoscopes and instruments are inadequate to perform such complex surgeries for insufficient grasping force and channels in scopes,(1) and most reports about flexible endoscopic surgery were animal experiments. On 1 January 2008, a novel flexible endoscope-based transumbilical fenestration of liver cyst was performed in our hospital. Only one port was made on abdominal wall as the entry for endoscope. The operation completed successfully expect for the longer operating time compared with traditional surgery.