Perception of NOTES among health care workers and medical students

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an experimental surgical approach. Several intra-abdominal procedures have been successfully performed in animals and humans although the long-term safety is still unknown. Potential advantages are reduction of wound-related complications, reduced postoperative pain, improved cosmesis, and short recovery time. This study aimed to measure the overall perception among health care workers and medical students. Materials: A brief 9-item survey was created to measure the perception among health care workers and medical students. A total of 120 surveys were completed. Results: Overall, 15% had a favorable perception, 29% had an unfavorable perception, and 55% were undecided. A total of 40% considered the possibility of avoiding wound-related complications the most appealing advantage, whereas 54% cited unknown safety as the most concerning possible disadvantage. Current occupation, previous knowledge, and affiliation to the surgical department influenced the overall perception. Conclusion: Most health care workers and medical students in our sample were undecided in their perception of NOTES.