The first cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder) in Israel using the NOTES procedure made use of Virtual Ports’ EndoGrab. The surgery, performed by a team led by Dr. Yoav Mintz, took place at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Two EndoGrab tips were used for retraction. This procedure marked the first time the easy-to-use, two-clip version was used on humans. The patient was released from the hospital 12 hours after the successful procedure. News of the operation was featured on Israel’s Channel 10 news.

NOTES refers to natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, a technique used for abdominal operations whereby an endoscope is passed through a natural orifice (e.g., the mouth) then through an internal incision in the stomach or other organ. The procedure reduces recuperation time and promises “scarless” surgery. Learn more about Virtual Ports.