Transanal hybrid colon resection: from laparoscopy to NOTES

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has stimulated centers around the world to assess various possibilities to transform this new idea from the experimental setting into clinical practice [1]. Experimental technical feasibility has been determined for several indications, including cholecystectomy and bowel resection. In patients, the transvaginal approach has been used most frequently in the past, usually for transvaginal cholecystectomy [2]. Initial experimental experience has been gathered with transvaginal and transanal colorectal procedures [3–7]. Worldwide, very few centers have begun applying this technique in patients; when performed, it is mostly for transanal rectal resection [8, 9]. Mehr