. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Nov 1.

Published in final edited form as: Surg Endosc. 2014 Jun 6;28(11):3119–3133. doi: 10.1007/s00464-014-3565-z

Table 3.

Description of tools used during all surgical methods

Main surgical tasks	Laparoscopic technique	NOTES method 1	NOTES method 2	NOTES method 3
Main surgical tasks	Tools/instruments
Visualization	Laparoscope (0°/30°) 5–10mm	Laparoscope (0° or 30°) 5mm, Rigid long angled endoscope (45°)	Laparoscope (0°/30°) 5mm, Flexible gastroscope (with one or two working channels)	Laparoscope (0°/30°) 5mm, Flexible gastroscope (with one or two working channels)
Retraction	Laparoscopic graspers,	Transabdominal stay sutures	Long laparoscopic graspers (introduced transvaginally), Internal retractors	Laparoscopic graspers (both mini and micro tools), Endoscopic grasper, Internal retractors
Dissection	Laparoscopic curved dissector, Laparoscopic electrosurgical tool	Laparoscopic curved dissector, Laparoscopic electrosurgical tool	Laparoscopic curved dissector, Laparoscopic electrosurgical tool	Endoscopic electrosurgical tool
Clipping	Laparoscopic clip applier	Laparoscopic clip applier	Laparoscopic clip applier	Laparoscopic clip applier
Cutting	Laparoscopic scissors	Laparoscopic scissors	Laparoscopic scissors	Laparoscopic scissors
Gallbladder Removal	Retrieval bag (transabdominally)	Retrieval bag (transvaginally)	Retrieval bag (transvaginally), Endoscopic snare	Retrieval bag (transvaginally), Endoscopic snare