Surgical Outcomes of Hysterectomy by Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) Compared with Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) in Women with Benign Gynecologic Indications

Authors

  • Supapun Wattanacharoen Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vachira Phuket Hospital
  • Montree Boonyakitanon Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vachira Phuket Hospital
  • Ratikorn Saejong Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vachira Phuket Hospital

Keywords:

hysterectomy, vNOTES, total laparoscopic hysterectomy

Abstract

Background: Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecologic procedures. Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) is a novel, scarless approach that offers an alternative to conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Objective: To compare surgical outcomes between hysterectomy performed by vNOTES and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH).

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 252 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign gynecologic diseases between October 2023 and March 2025. After exclusions, 56 patients were allocated to the vNOTES group and 161 to the TLH group. The primary outcome was successful completion of surgery without conversion. Secondary outcomes included operative time, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and readmission rate.

Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding conversion rate, operative time, complications, length of hospital stay, or readmission rate. However, postoperative pain was significantly lower in the vNOTES group compared with the TLH group. At 24 hours postoperatively, no patients in the vNOTES group reported a pain score >4, whereas 2.5% of patients in the TLH group did (p < 0.001). Conversely, intraoperative blood loss was significantly higher in the vNOTES group 150 (50-300) ml. compared with the TLH group 50 (20-100) ml., p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Hysterectomy by vNOTES is feasible in tertiary hospitals and demonstrates comparable outcomes to TLH, with the advantage of reduced postoperative pain. Nevertheless, given the retrospective design and potential selection bias, prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

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Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

1.
Wattanacharoen S, Boonyakitanon M, Saejong R. Surgical Outcomes of Hysterectomy by Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) Compared with Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) in Women with Benign Gynecologic Indications. MNST Med J [internet]. 2025 Dec. 30 [cited 2026 Jan. 9];9(2):44-55. available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/MNSTMedJ/article/view/284994