Surgeons enter the body through the mouth to reach the abdomen instead of cutting through the body as in traditional surgical methods.
This NOTES procedure may become the next major medical advancement in the U.S., according to WPTV.com news.
"Access to the abdominal cavity is required for diagnostic and therapeutic endeavors for a variety of medical and surgical diseases," according to an article by Michael F. McGee, MD and colleagues.
The use of the NOTES procedure as an alternative to conventional surgery can eliminate incisions and complications related to cutting through the outside of the body. Using NOTES will not leave any scars and there is no postoperative pain from surgical incisions.
Ultimately this procedure should also reduce any postoperative recovery time for the patient.
Dr. Jeffrey W. Hazey, MD and Dr. Scott Melvin at Ohio State's Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery are the first surgeons in the U.S. to use the experimental method in the operating room.
The NOTES procedure has already been clinically used by surgeons in India for appendectomies and tubal ligations.
The procedure is performed with a flexible endoscopy which has a fiber-optic camera attached and a remote-controlled surgical cutting tool, which is inserted through the mouth. Delicate surgical procedures are possible with this medical tool.
Dr. Hazey stated that this new technique may be used with other procedures as well.
Dr. Melvin believes the NOTES procedure will become commonplace for many widespread surgical uses.
However, this procedure may not be an option for some patients who suffer from esophageal problems or other medical conditions in which the mouth cannot be used for surgical access by the NOTES procedure.
