Minimally invasive technique marks a surgical milestone and advances care for women at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County
Patients benefit from reduced postoperative pain, lower infection risk, quicker recovery, decreased reliance on pain medications, and no visible scarring
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County announced the successful completion of the first VNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) hysterectomy in New York State. The landmark procedure, performed by Dr. Concepcion Diaz-Arrastia, marks a major advancement in minimally invasive gynecologic care.
VNOTES, or vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, represents a transformative advancement in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. This technique combines the benefits of traditional vaginal and laparoscopic surgery by using a specialized access platform to enter the abdominal cavity through the vaginal canal—eliminating the need for any abdominal incisions. Patients benefit from reduced postoperative pain, lower infection risk, quicker recovery, decreased reliance on pain medications, and no visible scarring. From a surgical perspective, VNOTES streamlines operative times and facilitates resident training. The technique is endorsed by leading medical bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), the Cochrane Collaboration, and the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE). It is used in a wide range of procedures, including hysterectomy, salpingectomy, oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy, and selected oncologic cases…