Status of access and closure techniques for NOTES

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a novel surgical concept that may provide a multitasking platform for minimally invasive surgery in the 21st century. With NOTES, natural hollow organs are used to gain access to body cavities via the mouth, anus, vagina, and urethra, thereby eliminating skin incisions. Access to the body cavity through the entry portal for the NOTES procedure and closure of the portal after surgery are important treatment considerations. In this review, access and closure techniques for NOTES-related procedures are discussed. Technical descriptions for access are also described. Closure techniques using experimental and commercially available devices are also reviewed. Based on the experimental and early clinical experiences to date, the future of NOTES appears quite promising. Nonetheless, ongoing fundamental research is necessary to determine the safety and benefit of these procedures. While technical challenges are currently present, the issues are being resolved with the development of optimal instrumentation and techniques. We believe that once standardized safe and reliable access and closure techniques are established, a major shift in minimally invasive surgery will likely be inevitable.