Natural orifice transluminal endoscopy surgery : a review

• Author(s): Pinto, João Moreira ; Lima, Estêvão Augusto Rodrigues de ; Pinto, Jorge Correia ; Rolanda, Carla
• Date: 2011
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/18703
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Transesophageal; Transgastric; Transvesical; Transvaginal; Transcolonic; Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery; Minimally invasive techniques
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Minimally invasive surgery started spreading worldwide in 1987, when the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. Meanwhile, improvement of endoscopic equipment and instruments allowed gastroenterologists to attempt more aggressive endoluminal interventions, even beyond the wall barrier. The first transgastric peritoneoscopy, in 2004, brought to light the concept of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The idea of incisionless surgery is attractive and has become a new goal for both surgeons and other people interested in this field of investigation. The authors present a review of all developments concerning NOTES, including animal studies and human experience.