Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
Emerging Techniques in Minimally Invasive Surgery. Pros and Cons
P Marco Fisichella1, Steven R DeMeester, Eric Hungness
1Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston VA Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, Boston, MA, 02132, USA, marco6370@yahoo.com.
New minimally invasive surgery techniques in gastrointestinal procedures show no superior outcomes to established methods. Adoption requires rigorous evaluation of efficacy, safety, and specialized training due to limited evidence and feasibility concerns.
Area of Science:
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Emerging minimally invasive surgical approaches are being critically evaluated for gastrointestinal procedures.
- A need exists for evidence-based assessments of novel techniques compared to established methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an evidence-based understanding of the value of new minimally invasive approaches in gastrointestinal surgery.
- To compare the efficacy and safety of novel techniques against traditional surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- An international expert panel convened at the 2014 American College of Surgeons Meeting.
- Comparison of established approaches versus new modalities: peroral esophageal myotomy vs. laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia, transgastric vs. transvaginal access, and single-incision vs. multi-port minimally invasive surgery.
Main Results:
- New minimally invasive approaches did not demonstrate superior outcomes compared to established surgical procedures.
- Novel techniques are currently utilized primarily in highly specialized centers.
- Transgastric and transvaginal approaches may be safe in expert hands but face limitations in cost, training, operative time, and tooling for common procedures.
Conclusions:
- The expected advantages of new minimally invasive surgical techniques remain unproven in controlled trials.
- Adoption of new approaches into practice necessitates thorough analysis of efficacy, effectiveness, and adequate training.
