NOTES: past,present and future

Once in a few decades in science or medicine, an idea emerges that is so powerful that it changes forever how we think about that field. Natural Orifices Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has the potential to break the physical barrier between bodily trauma and surgery. At the dawn of surgery, excellence was associated with big incisions: “big scar ‐ big surgeon”. In the 80s, minimally invasive surgery was born representing one of the greatest surgical evolutions of the 20th century. After Kalloo's first report in 2004 on transgastric peritoneoscopy in a porcine model, the interest in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has blossomed. Theoretically the same operation performed laparoscopically could be carried out through natural orifices without any abdominal incision avoiding pain and scarring. The lesson learned from the advent of laparoscopic surgery, thought us that we could be witnessing the birth of another surgical revolution. Since 2004 many abdominal procedures that use a NOTES approach have been successfully performed in animal models. However, the initial excitement for NOTES has been somewhat tempered by the reality that a NOTES procedure in human without laparoscopic assistance has not been performed by most groups. Indeed, a major issue is the lack of stable operative platform and flexible instruments that allow retraction and exposure of the organs, such as appendix or gallbladder. Will this issue change the future of NOTES?     

Technical feasibility of totally natural orifice cholecystectomy in a swine model

The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of totally NOTES performing a cholecystectomy without laparoscopic assistance. A gastroscope was used through a transvaginal access in five acute female pigs. An incision of 2?cm was created in the vagina and pneumoperitoneum was obtained with a Veress needle. The gallbladder was located in the abdominal cavity using endoscopic transillumination for spatial orientation. After the abdominal suspension of the gallbladder the cholecystectomy was completed with the NOTES technique in four animals without complications. In one animal we had technical problems and the procedure was stopped. The mean operative time was 110 minutes. The transvaginal approach provides complete abdominal exploration and both the cystic duct and artery were identified, clipped, and transected. After dissection the gallbladder was removed through the vagina. Our results showed that completely transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy is a feasible technique performed only with a flexible endoscope.     

Establishing transvaginal NOTES for gynecological and surgical indications: benefits, limits, and patient experience

Gynecologists have been performing transvaginal surgery for over a century and consequently the transvaginal approach was advocated for establishing natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in gynecological and surgical practice. From 2008 the NOTES alternative has been offered to selected patients. Transvaginal cholecystectomies were intended in 13 patients and completed in 12. Various additional procedures were performed. All surgical procedures and postoperative courses were uneventful. The mean operating time for transvaginal cholecystectomy only was 88.4 minutes (standard deviation [SD] 17.3). A questionnaire was posted to the patients after a mean follow-up of 8.5 months. Patients primarily chose transvaginal NOTES because of the lack of scarring. Vaginal sensation was not affected. Patients perceived transgastric, transvesical, and transrectal surgery to be less acceptable approaches. The feasibility of transvaginal NOTES was proven for different indications. Patients' experiences and perceptions concerning transvaginal NOTES were excellent.     

国内首例经阴道腹腔镜胆囊切除术

目的探讨临床开展经自然腔道内镜手术(PURE NOTES),采用经阴道腹腔镜切除胆囊的可行性、安全性和优越性。方法胃镜下针刀切开阴道后穹窿3cm,切口处安放"三通转换器"(Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Port,SILS PORT),三通道内分别插入3个软性器械套管建立防止漏气的通道,充气后首先于SILSPORT6点位通道进入腹腔镜探查腹盆腔情况,并监视硬质弯曲操作器械通过3点及9点位的通道到达胆囊区。分离出胆囊管及胆囊动脉,置入钛夹,分别夹闭胆囊管及胆囊动脉,常规切除胆囊,电凝胆囊床,将胆囊从阴道取出体外。结果胆囊切除时间39min,出血量2mL,未放引流,术后无阴道分泌物、无出血、胆漏等并发症,几乎无腹部疼痛,恢复快,术后第3天康复出院。结论 PURE NOTES经阴道腹腔镜胆囊切除术技术可行,操作安全,相比传统腹腔镜手术有明显优势,是目前开展PURE NOTES的较好方法 。     

Techniques for transgastric access to the peritoneal cavity

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a unique emerging surgical concept expanding flexible endoscopy beyond the gut wall. The methods and technology growing from this concept may minimize trauma from surgical access to the peritoneal cavity by completely eliminating body surface incisions. So far, NOTES surgeries have been reported by modifying laparoscopic surgery. The peroral transgastric route was chosen to access the peritoneal cavity in initial trials because of a potentially lower risk for surrounding organ injury using the anterior wall percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy-style gastrotomy. This article reviews and describes techniques of transgastric access to the peritoneal cavity used in published animal studies.     

Transvaginal endoscopic cholecystectomy using a simple magnetic traction system

Abstract

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is still at an early stage of clinical development. The development of new instruments is required to overcome some of the current limitations of NOTES. We thus performed transvaginal endoscopic cholecystectomies to determine the feasibility of using a magnetic traction system. Experiments were performed in a non-survival porcine model (n = 4). The magnet-fixed endoscopic clip was attached to the apex of the gallbladder fundus and held together with the external handheld magnet across the abdominal wall. The gallbladder fundus was then retracted to the cephalic direction by moving the external handheld magnet and the gallbladder was dissected from the liver bed. The gallbladder was placed in the endocatch material and delivered through the vagina. NOTES cholecystectomies via the transvaginal approach were successfully performed in a porcine model. The magnetic traction system was effective in achieving adequate exposure in all pigs. The magnetic traction system provides vigorous, multi-axial traction as required for the cholecystectomy procedure. There were no complications during the procedure other than minor bleeding from the liver bed. The mean procedure time was 133.8 minutes (range, 105 to 175 minutes). Our study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the magnetic traction system in NOTES.     

NOTES, du laboratoire aux applications humaines

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) aims to access the peritoneal cavity, the retroperitoneum, the mediastinum, and the pleural cavities by passing an endoscope through the natural orifices and then through the wall of the digestive or uro-genital tract. In this review, our aim is to describe the current applications and the future perspectives of this technique, which was first reported in 2004. Transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy and appendectomy have become routine procedures in some expert teams. The main limitation of transvaginal NOTES is that it has no possible application in male patients. Preclinical research in transesophageal, transgastric, and transrectal NOTES focuses on developing innovative instruments and new surgical procedures, but clinical applications are scarce owing to limited dedicated tools. However, some endoscopic interventions derived from NOTES, such as Natural Orifice Transumbilical Surgery (NOTUS), Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), Submucosal Tumor Endoscopic Resection (STER), and Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction (NOSE), are promising and deserve further evaluation.     

Gastric lymphatic basin dissection for sentinel node biopsy using hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe a method of gastric lymphatic basin dissection for sentinel node biopsy using natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with laparoscopic assistance (hybrid NOTES) in a porcine model. Lymph node dissection was performed in three healthy female domestic farm pigs (each around 40 kg) between October, 2007, and December, 2007. The pigs were administered a general anesthetic and laparoscopy-guided transvaginal colpotomy was performed. A two-channel endoscope was then inserted through the incision into the peritoneal cavity via the transvaginal route. An endoscope was inserted simultaneously into the mouth and indocyanine green solution was injected into the submucosal layer of the gastric wall at four sites. Dyed omentum and lymphatics were dissected using a laparoscopic dissector and the grasping forceps of a transvaginal endoscope. Lymphatics and omentum (mean 13.3 cm, range 8–20 cm) were removed transvaginally. The mean number of detected and resected sentinel nodes was 2.6 (range 1–4, diameter 2～12 mm). Sentinel lymphatic basin dissection was performed successfully and without intraoperative complications in all three cases. Hybrid NOTES is technically feasible, and this procedure may represent an alternative to laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection of the stomach.     

Robotic natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (R-NOTES): Literature review and prototype system

In minimally invasive surgery methods such as laparoscopic surgery, surgical instruments are introduced through small incisions to minimize patient trauma and recovery times. To reduce the number of incisions, new techniques such as natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) have been proposed. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, the NOTES approach, which requires new technology and improved instruments, presents some unique challenges. Robotic NOTES (R-NOTES) could be an enabling technology for these procedures. In this paper, we first review relevant work in R-NOTES. We then present our work and the system architecture for an R-NOTES prototype system incorporating wireless command and control. The system was tested twice in swine animal studies.     

NOTES and anastomosis

The history and development for forming anastomoses using natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) techniques is described. Sutured gastrojejunostomy, enteroenteral anastomosis, and ileocolonic anastomoses using rigid and circular staplers passed through the rectum and vaginal wall using a transgastric supervising endoscope using a natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery hybrid approach. The staplers for this type of approach have to change. They need to be longer, more flexible, and able to change shape (eg, becoming smaller for introduction and then expanding in the peritoneal cavity). Different methods of introduction over guidewires or in combination with flexible gastroscopes are also needed. There is still a requirement for more ingenuity, persistence, and research if the goal of safer effective formation of anastomoses by less invasive means is to be realized.     

Natural orifice surgery: applications in colonic surgery

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic abdominal surgery, or NOTES, allows invasive operations to be performed through a single or multiple natural‐orifice approach either in isolation (“pure”) or in combination with a transparietal (”hybrid”) access format. Therefore, to facilitate a colonic or rectal resection, the transgastric, transrectal or transcolonic routes, as well as the transvaginal route in women, can all be used either alone or in combination. We are now performing resectional colonic techniques on our patients that have been inspired by this revolutionary concept, carefully planned with storyboarding and validated in porcine models with survival analysis. Adaptation of existing equipment along with the use of new instruments and some simple ideas, such as magnetic fields to retract and mobilize the colon, have allowed us to simplify and standardize the operative technique (the first steps to ensuring procedural reproducibility). Initial potential applications can easily be imagined for partial colonic resections for voluminous benign polyps and for small early cancers, but these applications may extend to incorporate inflammatory bowel diseases such as diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon. For these techniques to further improve and the concept to become a concrete reality, a change in current surgical practice is required, and conventional laparoscopic techniques must be understood to represent a point along the evolutional development of surgery and not considered the final destination. However, as important as technical capacity is, due consideration and assurance of oncological and immunological propriety is essential, as is the issue of clarifying precise patient harm:benefit risk ratios.     

Evolution of laparoscopic surgery: lessons for NOTES

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is considered by some to be the next revolution in surgery. To advance into clinical NOTES safely and responsibly, the lessons learned from laparoscopic surgery should be applied to the development of NOTES as much as possible. This novel technique is still in evolution and newly designed instruments and devices should be developed. Industry has a considerable role in research and development and collaboration between clinicians and engineers for this matter is crucial.     

A case of simultaneous transvaginal NOTES gastrectomy and vaginal hysterectomy in a patient with gastric submucosal tumor and uterine prolapse

A 5‐cm gastric submucosal tumor was incidentally found through abdominal CT as a preoperative work‐up for hysterectomy in a 62‐year‐old woman with uterine prolapse. NOTES using a flexible gastrointestinal endoscope via the transvaginal route was indicated to accomplish concomitant partial gastrectomy and hysterectomy. Perigastric dissection was performed, followed by stapled partial gastrectomy using transvaginal NOTES technique with two transabdominal ports. The specimen was delivered transvaginally by enlarging the initial vaginal entry site. Vaginal hysterectomy was then accomplished by utilizing the enlarged vaginal wound. The patient showed rapid and uneventful postoperative recovery without any narcotic need. No complication was noted, her cosmetic result was satisfactory, and there was complete resolution of preoperative gynecological symptoms. Female patients with concomitant gastrointestinal and gynecological conditions requiring large specimen retrieval would potentially be suitable candidates for the transvaginal NOTES approach.     

Novel technologies for natural orifice surgery: An overview

Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS) is now being elaborated with the aim to make abdominal surgery simpler and safer. The existing natural openings of the body are used for introduction of surgical instruments and thus to perform surgical procedures while avoiding to penetrate the abdominal wall. Actually, the transvaginal and transgastric approaches are the common routes used for NOS applications in humans. The transvaginal approach does not necessitate any sophisticated devices for opening and closure of the posterior colpotomy, thus being easy for the surgeon and safe for the patient. In contrast, the problem of transluminal access and closure represents significant obstacles in the transgastric approach and is still unsolved. In order to achieve this goal, various surgical prototype devices have been developed. This article aims to give an overview on the current status of techniques and technologies that are being developed and applied in conjunction with NOS procedures.     

Emergency transvaginal hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

In a clinical series, 10 consecutive female patients with intra-abdominal infections were successfully treated with natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) performed transvaginally. The surgery, which consisted of a hybrid NOTES procedure using a transvaginal approach, was performed on an emergency basis by the surgical team on call. The indications for surgery were acute cholecystitis (n?=?6), acute appendicitis (n?=?2), and pelvic peritonitis (n?=?2) with intra-abdominal infection. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients using a dual-channel endoscope and mini-laparoscopy assistance. This is the first clinical series in which NOTES has been performed on an emergency basis to treat intra-abdominal infections. Transvaginal surgery for intra-abdominal infection is a feasible procedure for groups experienced in the elective NOTES approach.     

Principle and history of Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES).

The field of gastrointestinal endoscopy has been witnessing major advances over the last five decades. Developing from flexible endoscopy to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the 1950's and 70's to endoscopic ultrasound in the 80's, endoscopic technology has been transformed from serving purely diagnostic purposes to therapeutic applications. One recent major advance is the notion of using the flexible endoscope, taking it beyond the gastrointestinal lumen into what lies beyond the confines of the gastrointestinal tract. Natural orifice translumenal surgery offers the exciting potential to be safer, less invasive and possibly more cost-effective than the traditional open surgical or laparoscopic approach. The history and principles of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), along with future implications, are outlined in this article.     

Vaginal NOTES surgery in patients with prior hysterectomy: A first case series

This is a first feasibility on vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) in patients with prior hysterectomy. Our aim was to gain initial experience on performing vNOTES surgery on prior hysterectomy cases, whereby the main concern is that pelvic adhesions may impede safe transvaginal access. Between January 2017 and February 2020, a single surgeon (J.B.) performed vNOTES surgery on nine patients with a history of hysterectomy. Conventional laparoscopic instruments were inserted transvaginally through a vNOTES port. No abdominal incisions were made. Patient data and perioperative data were analyzed. Mean operating time was 38 minutes and there were no operative complications. Postoperative pain scores were low. The mean size of the adnexal cysts that were removed was 26 mm. In this study, vNOTES surgery was successfully performed in nine patients with prior hysterectomy. Following the IDEAL principles, it is important to report on our initial findings of this IDEAL stage 1 study. The results warrant further investigation in IDEAL stage 2 studies but do not validate the widespread use of this approach.     

Endoluminal resection of gastric intestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

Summary

Endoluminal surgery, the combination of flexible endoscopy and percutaneous transgastric laparoscopy, has expanded the role of minimally invasive surgery in treating foregut diseases. This imaginative technique blends the skills of endoscopist and laparoscopist. The stomach is well-suited for this technique as it is an expandable, large volume organ readily accessible to a flexible endoscope, and the relative ease of placing endoscopically or laparoscopically-guided percutaneous, transgastric ports provides access for laparoscopic instrumentation. The resection of gastric stromal tumors provides one of the few opportunities to integrate flexible endoscopy and laparoscopy. Proper training in the appropriate indications to utilize endoluminal techniques and familiarity with the multiple modifications from the original intragastric techniques described nearly a decade ago will allow surgeons to approach small, predominately endoluminal gastric stromal tumors with low malignant potential located in the cardia, along the posterior gastric wall, near the gastroesophageal junction or proximal to the pylorus.     

Development of advanced endoscopes for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a hybrid procedure which uses flexible endoscopic technology to perform laparoscopic surgical procedures within the abdominal cavity. Initial reports of animal studies describe the use of standard endoluminal endoscopes to accomplish intra‐abdominal surgeries. Current flexible scopes suffer from several deficiencies which make them unlikely to be able to be used for large scale human NOTES experiences. This review analyzes the deficiencies of current endoscopes, discuses the requirements of the ideal NOTES endoscope and reviews some of the possible “endoscopes of the future” that are being developed for the next generation of surgery. Discussion focuses on the “R” scope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and the Transport and Cobra scopes (USGI Medical, San Capistrano, CA).     

Transvesical peritoneoscopy: initial clinical evaluation of the bladder as a portal for natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery

Abdominal surgery has traditionally been performed through large incisions into the peritoneal cavity. In the past decade, traditional open surgery has been increasingly replaced by minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic techniques. In comparison to open surgery, these approaches can decrease postoperative pain, shorten the convalescence period, and improve cosmesis. Nonetheless, these techniques require multiple small entry incisions and are therefore associated with risk of wound infection and incisional hernia. The latest surgical advance is performance of procedures via natural body openings such as the mouth, anus, vagina, and bladder. To date, clinical experience with natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is extremely limited. Herein, we describe the initial clinical case in which we evaluated the bladder as a portal for NOTES. Our experience indicates clinical feasibility of transvesical peritoneoscopy with existing clinical equipment, but additional refinements of the technique and associated instrumentation appear warranted. In comparison to other portals, the urinary tract seems to have distinct clinical advantages for NOTES.