Doctors perform a laparoscopic surgery on a cancer patient at the National Cancer Hospital (Hospital K). VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The National Cancer Hospital (Hospital K) has announced a medical breakthrough after becoming the first facility in Việt Nam to successfully apply the vNOTES (Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) technique in the treatment of gynaecologic cancers.

This milestone marks a major advancement in the adoption of high-tech, minimally invasive procedures for cancer care in the country.

Deputy Director of Hospital K Dr Phạm Văn Bình stated that in recent years, the hospital has invested in the development and application of advanced techniques to improve treatment outcomes. Among its top priorities is the expansion of modern laparoscopic surgery.

The successful implementation of vNOTES not only offers a safer, less invasive surgical option for patients but also signifies the hospital’s strong integration with international standards in cancer treatment. 

“In the near future, we will continue to train medical staff and expand the use of this technique, broadening its applications to provide better treatment opportunities for patients with gynaecologic cancers as well as benign conditions,” Bình said.

The hospital’s Gynaecologic Surgery Department recently performed a successful vNOTES procedure to treat 52-year-old Nguyễn Thị L., who had been admitted with abnormal postmenopausal bleeding.

After a thorough clinical evaluation and multidisciplinary consultation, she was diagnosed with stage IA endometrial cancer and was selected for laparoscopic surgery using the vNOTES technique.

The two-hour operation involved a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The procedure went smoothly, with no external scarring and significantly reduced post-operative pain compared to conventional gynaecologic surgeries, followed by a rapid recovery.

The patient was discharged just three days after surgery.

Prior to this, Hospital K had already applied vNOTES successfully in treating benign gynaecologic conditions, including ovarian tumour removal and hysterectomies for large uterine fibroids. 

According to Bình, the concept of NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) originated in the US in 2004. In 2012, Belgian physician Dr Jan Baekelandt performed the first total hysterectomy using this method through the vaginal route. Since then, the technique has gained traction across the US, Europe and Asia.

vNOTES combines the advantages of abdominal laparoscopy (clear visualisation and precise manipulation) with the cosmetic and recovery benefits of vaginal surgery, eliminating the need for abdominal incisions. Initially used to treat benign gynaecologic conditions, including procedures like hysterectomies and removing ovaries or fallopian tubes, it is now indicated for early-stage gynaecologic cancers. 

The technique offers several key benefits: no visible scarring, reduced postoperative pain, lower risk of wound infection and faster recovery. These advantages help patients resume daily activities sooner, improve their quality of life and reduce treatment costs, all while meeting both oncologic safety and aesthetic standards. — VNS