title: A novel use of T-tag sutures for the safe creation and closure of the NOTES gastrotomy using a hybrid technique.
abstract: Transgastric Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) procedures are presently limited by the lack of a reliable method for creating and closing the gastrotomy created during the procedure. Furthermore, due to difficulties with the NOTES technique, the majority of NOTES procedures are presently performed in a "hybrid" fashion in which some degree of laparoscopic assistance is used alongside the NOTES approach. We describe a hybrid approach with a minimal laparoscopic component allowing a very controlled gastrotomy creation and closure. This technique would also allow laparoscopic suturing through a single, small cannula.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JL, UK. ralphaustin@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: R C T
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mosse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Swain
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures
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