A new in vivo method for testing closures of gastric NOTES incisions using leak of the closure or gastric yield as endpoints.

Background: We developed a non-survival in vivo model for testing of gastric natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) closures based on the gastric yield pressure. The aim of this study was to test our model comparing different endoscopic closure techniques with surgical closure of a NOTES gastric incision.

Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 30 pigs.

Endoscopic clips -- what are they good for?

Several methods have been developed for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleedings, a condition associated with high mortality rates. In recent years new studies have been published reporting the use of endoscopic clips mainly for digestive bleeding. Our paper reviews recent publications, focusing mainly on present indications, such as: digestive bleeding, conservative treatment of perforations of the digestive tract, repair of anastomotic leaks, marking of digestive tumours, endoprosthestesis anchoring and assisting papilla cannulation.