Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Hysterectomy Deconstructed: Expanding Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeons' Toolbox

Abstract

Background: The introduction of vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) to the toolbox of gynecologic surgeons has the potential to reverse the trend of vaginal hysterectomy declines. Methods: This review discusses nuances of the vNOTES technique applied to hysterectomy; describes vNOTES hysterectomy, step-by-step (including tips and tricks for low- and high-complexity cases for surgeons who may want to incorporate vNOTES hysterectomy into their surgical repertoires); and examines evidence and research trends in this field. Results: The descriptions in the text, figures, tables, and videos all contribute to giving readers a clear understanding of vNOTES, its advantages, limitations, and research potentials. Conclusions: vNOTES hysterectomy is a unique blend of vaginal, laparoscopic, and laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) techniques and is not a new procedure, but rather another tool to use in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. (J GYNECOL SURG 40:78)