The history of NOTES.
Throughout history, medicine has witnessed paradigm shifts that significantly change patient treatment. Recently, the introduction and development of laparoscopic surgery has had a major impact on patient treatment. On the horizon is natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), which has tremendous potential. This review focuses on the history of natural orifice endoscopy in urology with the progression through therapeutic natural orifice endoscopy and resection to the development of upper tract natural orifice surgery. Further delineated is how technology has improved these procedures to set the stage for NOTES.
Tsao
Alice K
AK
Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA. symphony88888@yahoo.com
Averch
Timothy D
TD
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history*