Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, performed a Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy, thereby introducing an advanced scarless surgical approach for women requiring gynaecological procedures.

vNOTES represents one of the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgery, enabling surgeons to access the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and supporting structures through the natural vaginal route, eliminating the need for external abdominal incisions.

Reduced blood loss

According to a press release, the scarless surgical approach offers benefits for appropriately selected patients, including less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, shorter operative time, quicker recovery, a lower requirement for pain medication and improved cosmetic outcomes.

Meera V.V. Ragavan, consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, said that one question raised by patients during consultations was whether they would have a scar. The question reflected broader concerns including about post-operative recovery, return to daily life and the cost of procedure.

“vNOTES offers a different answer to that question. Instead of abdominal incisions, we access the uterus, ovaries, tubes, and supporting ligaments through the natural vaginal route. There are no cuts on the abdomen and no visible scars. The surgical goals are identical – it is the access point that changes,” she said.

Beyond hysterectomy, vNOTES can be used for gynaecological procedures, including ovarian cyst removal, adnexal surgeries and selected pelvic floor repairs, the release said.