For women needing a hysterectomy or other surgery to relieve a gynecologic condition, a new, innovative procedure with no abdominal incision and fewer side effects is now available. The vNOTES procedure (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery ) combines the benefits of laparoscopic and vaginal surgery while improving the surgical experience for the patient.
In vNOTES, the doctor uses specialized instruments and a high-definition camera inserted through the vagina instead of creating abdominal incisions. This allows the doctor to gain access to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to view the area and operate with precision and without any visible scarring.
In addition to the elimination of scarring, vNOTES patients also benefit from less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster recovery time.
Amy Bilyeu, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, with SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group was the first doctor in the area to use the vNOTES procedure. She says, "I have been doing vaginal surgery for years but since I started doing vNOTES a few years ago, my patients continually tell me how amazing they feel after this procedure. They experienced little to no pain, and were surprised how fast they were able to get back to their daily activities. This was not the case with a traditional vaginal hysterectomy. It has also opened up a different route for adnexal mass surgery without any incisions! This is the future of vaginal surgery."
The vNOTES procedure is currently available in the St. Louis area at SSM Health’s St. Mary’s, DePaul, and St. Joseph – Lake Saint Louis Hospital campuses with the potential to expand to more offices and providers. Contact the following offices for more information:
Amy Bilyeu, OB/GYN
SLUCare Physician Group
1031 Bellevue Ave #400
St. Louis, MO 63117
314-617-3500
Hamnah Siddiqui, OB/GYN
SSM Health Medical Group
12277 DePaul Drive, Suite 305
Bridgeton, MO 63044
314-344-7585
Thomas Ganz, OB/GYN
SSM Health Medical Group
300 Medical Plaza
Lake St. Louis, MO 63367
636-625-2662
