A sophisticated new surgical technology holds promise for future painless and scarless surgery with shorter recovery times than laparoscopic surgery. New research supporting the safety and efficacy of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and detailing the outcomes associated with new tools and robotic applications will be presented today at Digestive Disease Week 2008 (DDW). DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery.

“The research developments presented today are continuing to demonstrate the great potential of this exciting new surgical procedure,” said Pankaj J. Pasricha, MD, FASGE, professor of medicine, gastroenterology and hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine. “Surgical advances like NOTES may lead the way toward the adoption of even more minimally invasive techniques than laparoscopy and allow patients to return to their home, family and work more quickly.”

NOTES is performed by passing an endoscope through a natural orifice then through an internal incision in the stomach, vagina, bladder or colon, thus avoiding any external incisions or scars.

[Aimee Frank @ American Gastroenterological Association]