Author
Abstract
The field of minimally invasive surgery has seen tremendous development and refinement
since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 1987. Laparoscopic surgery has
several advantages over traditional surgery. The next logical step in the evolution of minimally
invasive surgery may be to eliminate all abdominal incisions. The terms being used in the
literature include �incisionless�, �endoluminal�, �transluminal�, and �Natural Orifice Transluminal
Endoscopic Surgery� (NOTES). This article aims to summarize the background and current
status of NOTES.
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