Address of early stage primary colonic neoplasia by N.O.T.E.S.
Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (N.O.T.E.S.) has the capacity to impact greatly on the practice of colorectal surgery. As much as potentially providing an alternative means of operative approach, its consideration and evolution is already also providing a wealth of instrument innovation that seems likely to greatly enhance the endoscopists' armamentarium for advanced endoluminal intervention. Furthermore, its aspirational concept is greatly advancing the progress of single site incision laparoscopic approaches and is speeding appreciation of translumenal assistance and operation. However, if N.O.T.E.S. is to occupy a distinct role in the surgical management of colorectal disease, it needs a niche indication of its own that constitutes a therapeutic advance with considerable clinical benefit for suitable patients. Conversely, sound development of a specific stream-lined operative strategy for N.O.T.E.S-type operations may exert a reciprocal swash upon conventional specialist practice. Thus spurred by N.O.T.E.S, localized resection may become standard therapy for early stage colonic neoplasia regardless of operative access although considerable clinical study is as yet required. Therefore, as much as ensuring feasibility and accuracy in the replication of conventional surgical maneuvers, the dawn of N.O.T.E.S. should be recognized as an opportunity for the inquisition of prevailing surgical principles and prejudices in order that colorectal operations are further honed towards perfection (above all it should be realized that avoidance of abdominal scarring is not the last barrier before surgical nirvana). This may represent the main legacy of transluminal investigation whether or not pure N.O.T.E.S. operating ever becomes a clinical reality in its own right.
Cahill
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RA
Department of Colorectal Surgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom. cahillra@gmail.com
Lindsey
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Cunningham
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D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging