NOTES

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) has exploded onto the surgical and gastroenterological world. This technique allows "scarless surgery" to be performed and should be considered a research method at present. The ICENI centre has been intimately involved in recent developments starting with the first European meeting in Gothenburg in Sepember 2007. Since that time Mr. Ralph Austin has been working with Professor Paul Swain in the laboratory to refine technical aspects. Mr Austin has been awarded a significant Research Award by the European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons to investigate the technique further.

In September 2009, Mr. Tan Arulampalam co-authored a consensus statement on behalf of most of the major british surgical and endoscopic associations (ALSGBI, BSG, ACPGBI, BAUS, BSGE). This statement can be found at:

Consensus Statement: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery

The field of NOTES is developing rapidly and we plan to publish more in-depth commentaries in due course. Pleae contact our administrator if you would like to attend a course on NOTES.