Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR)

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Editor-In-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D. [mailto:msbeih@perfuse.org] Phone:617-849-2629

Synonyms and keywords: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery, Single incision laparoscopic surgery, Minimally invasive surgery, Transanal endoscopic microsurgery, Natural orifice surgery consortium for assessment and research, Society of american gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgeons.

Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR)
Senior leadership from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Suregons (SAGES) organized a working group of surgeons and gastroenterologists who met in New York City on July 22 and 23, 2005 to develop standards for the practice of this emerging technique. This group is known as the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortion for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR). A White Paper on NOTES was released by NOSCAR simultaneously in two medical journals in May 2006. This paper identified the major areas of research that need to be addressed before NOTES can become a viable clinical application for patients. These areas include development of a reliable closure technique for the internal incision, prevention of infection, and creation of advanced endoscopic surgical tools.

Some of NOSCAR tasks include:
 * Producing White Papers which focus on the challenges that need thought and research.
 * Tracking the groups of similar research projects that address the previous challenges.
 * Organizing the research projects, enhance collaboration and attract funding to key areas of study.
 * Building a robust outcomes database by collecting submission of data.
 * Fostering collaborative clinical trials.

The White Paper on NOTES and the guidlines for participation in NOSCAR can be found in this external link (http://www.noscar.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/NOTES_White_Paper_Feb06.pdf).

NOSCAR™ - What is it and why does it matter? (By Dr. David Rattner, NOSCAR™ co-founder, in SAGES 2008 Meeting)