A case control study of vNOTES vs conventional laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy.

Study objective: While the laparoscopic approach is the surgical treatment of choice for ectopic pregnancy, vNOTES is emerging as an alternative route with its good optical visibility and avoidance of abdominal incisions. The authors compare demographics and outcome data of vNOTES vs conventional laparoscopic salpingectomy for the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy.

Design: Case control study SETTING: A London University hospital PATIENTS: Women with ectopic pregnancy unsuitable for medical management who underwent surgical management INTERVENTION: 25 cases of vNOTES vs 25 conventional laparoscopic salpingectomy MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean patient age (29.7±53 vs 31.4±6.7 days), parity (1.2±1.1 vs 1.6±2.1), BMI (26.7±5.3 vs 27.2±5.4 kg/m³), gestation age (8.44±2.1 vs 7.3±1.7 weeks) and βhCG levels (3725.4±3674.8 vs 4376.5±6493.4 IU/litre) were comparable (p>0.05, t test) between patients having vNOTES vs conventional laparoscopic salpingectomy. While estimated blood loss was similar (218.2±491.7 vs 173.5±138.7 mls)(p>0.001), vNOTES patients had statistically shorter duration of surgery (35.8±14.4 vs 75.8±19.7 mins)(p<0.001, t test) and length of stay (median: 11.5 vs 19.7 hours)(U=72, p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). Less patients in the vNOTES group required postoperative opioids (9% vs 25%) and median Visual Analogue Score (/10) for pain at 24 hours was significantly lower (2.0 vs 4.0)(U=75, p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). Patients from the vNOTES group were able to return to normal daily activity 11.3 days quicker (5.8±4.3 vs 17.1±8.2 days)(p<0.05, t test). vNOTES cases cost approximately USD150 more due to the price of the commercial kits but this is offset by reduced intraoperative time, length of stay and need for postprocedure analgesia.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing vNOTES have shorter intraoperative times and length of stays, less postoperative pain and more rapid recovery, which help mitigate higher cost incurred by commercial kits. While the vNOTES approach for ectopic pregnancy appears safe and efficacious, more robust data from larger randomised studies are needed.