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Background and Study Aims: The advantages of a hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery approach to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (hNOTES-RYGBP) might include: easier access to the peritoneal cavity, reduced number of ports and related complications, improved cosmesis, and others. However, currently available conventional endoscopic and laparoscopic instruments might be unsuitable for complex surgical procedures using transluminal access. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and limitations of a NOTES RYGBP., Methods: hNOTES-RYGBP was performed in human cadavers. Pouch creation was achieved by needle-knife dissection using a transvaginal, flexible scope. Articulating linear staplers were placed transumbilically to transect the stomach. Measurements of the small bowel were accomplished intraluminally or with flexible and rigid graspers. New methods were tested to create the gastro-jejunal anastomosis. A linear laparoscopic stapler was used to form the jejuno-jejunal anastomosis., Results: Stapler manipulation and anvil docking, bowel manipulation and measurement, and tissue dissection presented the main obstacles for hNOTES-RYGBP. Conventional instruments were too short for some transvaginal manipulations. The time to complete the procedure was 6 - 9 hours. It was feasible to perform a complete hNOTES-RYGBP in four out of seven cadavers. Two cadavers were unsuitable due to anatomical abnormalities or advanced decay. One procedure was terminated before completion because of time constraints. Combinations of flexible and rigid visualization and manipulation were helpful, especially for dissection and gastric pouch creation., Conclusions: Several factors made hNOTES-RYGBP very challenging and time-consuming. A lack of proper instrumentation resulting in insufficient tissue traction, countertraction, and instrument manipulation complicated several steps during the procedure. A combination of flexible with rigid endoscopic techniques offers specific advantages for components of this type of surgery. Changes in instrument design are required to improve more complex endosurgical procedures.

Background and Study Aims: Decreased scarring is an advantage of minimally invasive surgery. The new experimental technique of natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) aims at totally scarless surgery. We examined the general attitudes of patients and unaffected persons towards scarless surgery., Methods and Participants: We used a 7-item questionnaire in structured interviews with hospital visitors, following detailed standardized explanation of terms used and of possible complications, to groups of 10 participants, during an "open ward" day. A visual analog scale (VAS) from 1 (none) to 10 (very much) was used for all but one item. Questions concerned the importance of cosmetic results in abdominal surgery, satisfaction regarding existing scars, hypothetical acceptance of increased risk as a trade-off for the absence of scars, and other issues. Data were analyzed for participants overall, and for three age groups and both sexes., Results: 292 participants (male : female 1 : 1; mean age 43 years) completed the questionnaire. Cosmetic issues were rated as important (median 8), but acceptance of existing scars was also high in those affected (median 8, n=68). Approval of scarless surgery decreased with a presumed risk increase (from score 9 down to score 5), and overall an increase in risk of 10 % was judged to be acceptable as a trade-off for total absence of scarring. Younger people tended to be less satisfied with scars, but were also less inclined than older people to accept higher surgical risk in this hypothetical context., Conclusions: People generally seem to favor scarless abdominal surgery, even with some increase in risk.