'No Scar' Surgery Proving Successful In Trials - Flexible Endoscope Makes Use Of Body's Orifices

Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 12 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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A new "no scar" surgery making use of the body's natural orifices, called Natural Orifice Translumenal Surgery (NOTES), is gaining traction among surgeons and gastroenterologists. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible endoscope that is inserted into the body's orifices, where incisions can be made internally for procedures such as organ removal.

Clinical practice may not yet be available for a number of years, but several trials, more than 500 according to medical device manufacturer EndoGastric Solutions, have been successfully completed in the United States and Europe.

At the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course (Oct. 12 - 17, Philadelphia), Anthony Kalloo, M.D., FACG, and Jeffrey Ponsky, M.D., FACG, two leading experts on NOTES research, will present point/counterpoint views on the subject. They will debate whether NOTES should become part of everyday practice, the benefits to patients of NOTES vs. traditional or laparoscopic surgery, if patients will be receptive to this type of surgery, and whether the decision should be left to surgeons.

If the procedure proves to be safe and effective, cooperative efforts will be needed on the part of surgeons and gastroenterologists for this new field in medicine to develop.

Video of the debate will be made available at http://www.amjgastro.com.

The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) was founded in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical practice of diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the individual and collective needs of clinical GI practitioners. For more information, please visit http://www.acg.gi.org.

The American Journal of Gastroenterology is the official publication of the American College of Gastroenterology, and the #1 clinical journal in gastroenterology. The journal brings a broad-based, interdisciplinary approach to the study of gastroenterology, including articles reporting on current observations, research results, methods of treatment, drugs, epidemiology, and other topics relevant to clinical gastroenterology. For more information, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ajg.

Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. , and its merger with Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com or http://interscience.wiley.com.

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