Transvaginal access: A safe technique for tubo-ovarian exploration in infertility? Review of the literature

Abstract

Transvaginal laparoscopy offers an accurate and minimally invasive method for the exploration of the female pelvis in patients with infertility. Access to the pouch of Douglas is gained through a simple needle puncture technique of the posterior fornix using a pre-warmed watery solution as the distension medium. A review of recently published papers and our own experience illustrate the safety of the technique. Transvaginal laparoscopy can be considered as one of the first and safest examples of the recent developments in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). © 2008 Springer-Verlag.