Prospects and challenges of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and transanal total mesorectal excision

Abstract

In recent years, our country has gained unprecedented achievements in minimally invasive surgery. Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES), natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) are the three most representative techniques for minimally invasive surgery. They are hot in Chinese surgical field due to their superior minimally invasive advantages. It is true that these three technologies are still in their early stages of development. Each of them also faces many problems and challenges that need to be resolved and overcome. Therefore, it is necessary for us to understand these technologies thoroughly on the premise of accurate definitions, clear concepts, and standardized operating procedures. We should not blindly follow, nor should we confuse concepts and surgical names. This is an important prerequisite for the orderly development of minimally invasive surgery. NOSES emphasizes the removal of specimens through natural orifice, while NOTES mainly emphasizes the use of natural orifice as a surgical approach into the body cavity. TaTME emphasizes the trans-anal approach. NOSES and NOTES are two wide surgical concepts that apply to a variety of tissues and organs, while TaTME is a narrow surgical concept that is confined to the rectum. The main purpose of the three is to demonstrate a good minimally invasive effect on the basis of ensuring effective treatment of the disease. From the current technical conditions, no surgical technique is perfect. Only by selecting the best surgical method according to the patient's condition, can the advantages of minimally invasive technology be maximized, and patients can benefit the most.