Computer-Assisted Digestive Surgery

Introducing an optical device into the abdomen of a patient so as to carry out the surgical procedure via a miniaturized camera represented the major change the surgical world experienced during the twentieth century: the “minimally invasive” surgery era was born. This revolution is about to experience a new twist linked to the appearance of a new original technique called Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) that could replace traditional laparoscopic surgery for a large set of procedures. By replacing the rigid optic that is introduced through the skin by a flexible optic that is introduced through a natural orifice such as stomach, vagina or colon, this new technique should eliminate all visible incisions.