NOTES and Anastomosis

The history and development for forming anastomoses using natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) techniques is described. Sutured gastrojejunostomy, enteroenteral anastomosis, and ileocolonic anastomoses using rigid and circular staplers passed through the rectum and vaginal wall using a transgastric supervising endoscope using a natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery hybrid approach. The staplers for this type of approach have to change. They need to be longer, more flexible, and able to change shape (eg, becoming smaller for introduction and then expanding in the peritoneal cavity). Different methods of introduction over guidewires or in combination with flexible gastroscopes are also needed. There is still a requirement for more ingenuity, persistence, and research if the goal of safer effective formation of anastomoses by less invasive means is to be realized.