1) NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) is a developing minimally invasive surgical technique that performs procedures through natural orifices like the mouth, anus, urethra, or vagina without external incisions.
2) Several NOTES procedures have been performed successfully in animal models and humans including transgastric, transvaginal, and transcolonic approaches.
3) However, concerns remain regarding infection risk, closure techniques for internal incisions, and lack of triangulation and retraction compared to laparoscopy. Further research is still needed before NOTES can be widely adopted.