Brookwood Baptist Medical Center Utilizing vNOTES Procedures for Hysterectomy

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – Brookwood Baptist Medical Center is now offering a procedure known as vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, or vNOTES, to perform hysterectomies.

Using a specialized transvaginal access device, vNOTES is designed to provide better surgical visibility and increased access to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The result is meant to streamline the procedure often leading to a shorter hospital stay (often less than 24 hours), less pain, no external incisions, and no visible scarring.

Traditional vaginal hysterectomies lack some of the visibility and mobility to reach the fallopian tubes and ovaries, which often must also be removed due to cysts. In the past year, Brookwood OBGYN Dr. Heidi Straughn has conducted more than 20 vNOTES procedures and said it offers many advantages.

“There is no incision, so there’s less pain,” said Straughn. “The time in the operating room is shorter, as is the recovery time. There are so many advantages to it.” Straughn added that the patients she has operated on have mentioned to her how painless the procedure is, physically and logistically.

“Patient feedback has been great,” said Straughn. “They’re excited to not have an incision. It’s just an absolutely positive experience for everyone involved.” One patient, Wendy McAlpine, has been seeing Straughn for two decades and has experienced a vNOTES operation.

“Absolutely it was a positive experience,” McAlpine said. “I’ve been seeing Dr. Straughn for 20 years, so I trust her completely.”

Those interested in learning more about the procedure can contact the Brookwood Women’s Medical Center at 833-245-0194 or visit our website at BrookwoodWomensMedicalCenter.com.