NOTES cholecystectomy: matched-pair analysis comparing the transvaginal hybrid and conventional laparoscopic techniques in a series of 216 patients.

Background: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is currently a very important topic for both gastroenterologists and surgeons. We have developed a technique of transvaginal hybrid NOTES cholecystectomy (TVC) that leaves no visible scar and is applicable to daily use. This technique is compared to the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) in a matched-pair analysis.