Endoluminal and transluminal surgery: current status and future possibilities

Area of Science:

• Surgical innovation
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Endoscopic surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, first performed in 1987, marked a significant advancement.
• Minimally invasive surgery has experienced substantial growth.
• The focus is shifting towards future advancements beyond current techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evolving endoluminal therapies and future directions in luminal access surgery.
• To highlight new technologies in minimally invasive procedures.
• To emphasize the importance of surgeon involvement in developing new surgical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Review of available and evolving endoluminal therapies presented at forums like Digestive Disease Week and SAGES meetings.
• Discussion of techniques for gastroesophageal reflux disease, endoscopic mucosal resection, endoluminal bariatric surgery, transanal endoscopic microsurgery, and transgastric endoscopic surgery.
• Exploration of new technologies and future directions in luminal access surgery.

Main Results:

• Emerging techniques include "incisionless," "endoluminal," "transluminal," and "natural orifice" transluminal endoscopic surgery.
• These techniques represent a potential next wave of minimally invasive procedures.
• Surgeons are increasingly involved in the development and application of these advanced endoscopic techniques.

Conclusions:

• Endoluminal therapies and novel surgical approaches are poised to redefine minimally invasive surgery.
• Continued surgeon engagement is crucial for the advancement and successful implementation of these innovative techniques.
• The future of surgery lies in less invasive, endoscopically driven procedures.