Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): an emerging technique in surgery.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), which utilises natural anatomical passages for gaining access to the intra-abdominal organs for surgical interventions, that result in scarless surgery, is a recent advancement in the specialty of minimally invasive surgery and has gained significant momentum, It has been postulated as a promising alternative to laparoscopic surgery in the field of minimal invasive surgery. Significant advantages over conventional open surgery, such as less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, early return to activity, avoidance of wound-related complications and better cosmesis have been demonstrated. This article provides an update in the development, principles, practice and future applications of NOTES.