Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-in-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [2]

Overview

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an experimental surgical technique whereby "scarless" abdominal operations can be performed. The surgeon accesses the peritoneal cavity or the thoracic cavity via a hollow viscus and performs diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. NOTES involves passing surgical instruments and a tiny camera through a natural orifice (mouth, urethra, anus, etc.), then the procedure can be performed through an internal incision in the stomach, vagina, bladder or colon, thus avoiding scars and external incisions through the skin, muscles, and nerves. The patients recover more quickly and experience less pain with better cosmetic results. The postoperative complications such as wound infections and hernias are significantly reduced.