title: A review of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) for intra-abdominal surgery: experimental models, techniques, and applicability to the clinical setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of models, techniques, outcomes, pitfalls, and applicability to the clinical setting of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) for performing intra-abdominal surgery through a systematic review of the literature.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NOTES has attracted much recent attention for its potential to allow traditional surgical procedures to be performed entirely through a natural orifice. Amid the excitement for potentially scar-free surgery and abolishment of dermal incision-related complications, the safety and efficacy of this new surgical technology must be evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Current Contents, Cochrane Library, Entrez PubMed, Clinical Trials Database, National Health Services Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (NHS CRD) databases, and National Research Register from 2000 to June 2007. Studies identified in September 2007 were included if they were performed in live human subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 34 studies included for review, 30 were experimental studies conducted in animals, thus the evidence base was very limited. Although intra-abdominal access could be achieved reliably via oral, anal, or urethral orifices, the optimal access route and method could not be established. Viscerotomy closure could not be achieved reliably in all cases and risk of peritoneal infection has not been adequately minimized. Although the majority of interventions could be performed in animals using NOTES, a number of technical problems were encountered that need to be resolved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NOTES is still in early stages of development and more robust technologies will be needed to achieve reliable closure and overcome technical challenges. Well-managed human studies need to be conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of NOTES in a clinical setting.
authors: Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures-Surgical, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Adelaide, Australia.
authors: Eliana Della
authors: ED
authors: Flora
authors: Thomas G
authors: TG
authors: Wilson
authors: Ian J
authors: IJ
authors: Martin
authors: Nicholas A
authors: NA
authors: O'Rourke
authors: Guy J
authors: GJ
authors: Maddern
mesh_terms: D034841:Abdominal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D008954:Models, Biological; D013552:Swine; D016896:Treatment Outcome