June 6, 2024
Marshfield Clinic Health System is now offering a minimally invasive hysterectomy procedure that results in a quicker recovery time, less pain and no visible scarring.
vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) is an advanced minimally invasive hysterectomy procedure that has the potential to provide many benefits to patients compared to the laparoscopic approach. In the U.S., about 500,000 hysterectomies are performed each year for people with chronic pain, fibroids, heavy bleeding and uterine prolapse.
Under the guidance of Applied Medical instructors, Marshfield Clinic Heal System OB-GYNs Drs. Rebecca Downs, Jason Cruff, Thomas Doering, Alissa Small, Joshua Sampson and David Hirsch received vNOTES training, bringing this technique to hospitals in Eau Claire, Marshfield and Weston.
"The ability to do a more complex hysterectomy without leaving any visible scar is a huge win for women's health care," said Dr. Downs. "The data on lower pain scores after this surgery compared to other hysterectomy techniques is very promising. I look forward to being able to provide a procedure that causes less pain for my patients."
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists have recommended vaginal hysterectomy, whenever feasible, as the approach of choice.
Dr. Downs adds that she is hopeful vNOTES can be used for other procedures, including tubal ligation, in the future.
