K Hospital in Hanoi has made a medical breakthrough by successfully performing Vietnam’s first scarless gynecologic cancer surgery. The procedure used an advanced technique called transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES).
The surgery was carried out on 52-year-old Nguyen Thi L., who was admitted to the hospital with abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause. After thorough testing and consultation, doctors diagnosed her with stage IA endometrial cancer.
Surgeons used the vNOTES method to remove her uterus, both adnexa (ovaries and fallopian tubes), and pelvic lymph nodes—all through the vaginal canal. The entire operation took just two hours and left no visible scars.
The patient experienced minimal pain and was able to leave the hospital only three days after surgery.
vNOTES is a minimally invasive approach that allows surgeons to insert endoscopic tools through the vaginal canal instead of making cuts on the abdomen. This technique provides the precision of laparoscopic surgery while avoiding external scarring.
The benefits of vNOTES include less post-surgical pain, reduced infection risk, faster recovery, and improved cosmetic results. It also helps lower overall treatment costs.
Originally used for treating non-cancerous conditions like ovarian cysts and fibroids, vNOTES is now being applied to early-stage gynecologic cancers. It ensures effective cancer treatment while improving patient comfort and appearance.
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Binh, Deputy Director of K Hospital, called the surgery a major step forward. “vNOTES is a safe, minimally invasive option that reflects global trends in modern surgical care,” he said.
K Hospital plans to expand training and usage of the vNOTES method to offer more patients access to this innovative and less invasive treatment option.
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