Revolutionary day case gynaecological procedure reaches 50 patient milestone at UHNM
A revolutionary new minimally invasive procedure that allows women to have a hysterectomy and other gynaecologic procedures treated as a day case has reached its fiftieth patient milestone at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) uses a specialised camera and instruments that are placed through the vaginal wall into the pelvic cavity, giving access to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries without the need for abdominal skin incisions.
The innovative procedure, which is available at both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford, has a number of benefits for patients including a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, no visible scars, and a faster recovery time.
Mr Mohamed Shahin, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at UHNM said: “We started this procedure in March 2023 across UHNM and have since become the fastest growing Trust in the UK to offer the treatment, reaching vNOTES 50 cases last month.
“vNOTES allows us to reduce theatre operating time, save beds as a day case surgery and give patients access to a treatment that they ordinarily would have needed much more invasive surgery. We wanted this procedure to be embedded into practice at both the Royal Stoke and County hospitals so patients across Staffordshire can benefit. Women are screened and offered the best procedure based on their individual needs, be that open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery, or vNOTES.
“After the launch of vNOTES at UHNM, figures show 95 per cent of women were safely and happily discharged in less than 24 hours with no related readmission or postoperative complications, and since then we sustained and built upon those exceptional targets.”
One of the first women to undergo a vNotes procedure at UHNM was Victoria Milner from Stafford.
The 52-year-old underwent a hysterectomy at County Hospital in August 2023.
Victoria said: “Having had my procedure carried out at 10am, I was able to go home at 7.30pm the same evening. I was originally down for laparoscopic surgery, but after being eligible for vNOTES and having had it explained to me by Dr Shahin, I opted for that instead. I thought if it means I feel better more quickly afterwards after and I don’t have any wounds, then lets absolutely go for it.
“Everything went fine and that staff were brilliant and very attentive. I even had to ask if I’d actually had it done, I felt fine afterwards.
“To anybody offered a procedure with vNOTES I would say go for it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, and feel like I’ve got my life back on track.”
Denise Robson, 56, from Biddulph also had a hysterectomy at County Hospital using the procedure. She said: “All the staff were fantastic, they treated me very well, I couldn’t fault them. I would say have the procedure done, I felt marvellous afterwards and hardly had any painkillers. It wasn’t half as bad as I was anticipating it to be, it was brilliant.”
Mr Shahin said: “The success of vNOTES is fantastic news for our patients, transforming a procedure that previously needed women to stay in overnight, into something they can go home in six hours and recover in the comfort of their own homes. Whilst 50 cases is a wonderful achievement for all involved, for me it’s not about the numbers, it’s about ensuring that women get the best individualised treatment in the best time for them.”