【Health News】 Chunhae Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Single-Hole Robotic Surgery Center is solidifying its leading position in the field of robotic surgery by exceeding 500 cases of da Vinci SP surgery by a single doctor, and has recently introduced a surgical method called VNOTES. It is said that the new introduction has opened the way to apply cutting-edge surgical techniques to patients.
Patient ○○○, a 43-year-old patient who visited the hospital due to excessive menstrual flow and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids measuring 7 centimeters in size, underwent myomectomy by Director Park Seong-hwan of Chunhae Hospital and recovered with little pain and no abdominal scars the day after the surgery. I couldn’t hide my surprise at what happened.
Director Park explained that this was thanks to VNOTES surgery. VNOTES surgery is a cutting-edge method that involves making a small incision inside the vagina and performing surgery using surgical instruments and a robotic arm.
Director Park Seong-hwan successfully completed the first VNOTES surgery in Korea using the da Vinci SP robot to approach the vagina to remove only uterine fibroids and preserve the uterus. The existing V-Notes surgery was mainly used to remove ovarian cysts or hysterectomies, but this surgery selectively removed only uterine fibroids, which were considered to be highly difficult.
Because VNOTES fibroid surgery approaches the vagina, it is difficult to secure a view, and removal and discharge of lesions and restoration of healthy tissue must be performed in a narrow space.
Therefore, detailed techniques by experienced experts are essential. Director Park prioritized preservation of the patient’s uterus and maximized the advantages of minimally invasive methods. The advanced technology of the da Vinci SP robot enabled detailed resection and tissue preservation, with almost no bleeding.
As a result, the patient was able to quickly return to his daily life with shorter recovery time and reduced risk of complications. Thanks to the surgery being performed through a small incision inside the vagina without an abdominal incision, there were no scars on the abdomen, no pain, and it was possible to be discharged the day after the surgery.
This case was presented at the Korean Robotics Society held in Seoul, and received interest and questions from numerous gynecologists.
This successful case has significant significance in the field of domestic gynecological surgery and can be seen as opening a new horizon in uterine fibroid removal surgery. Director Park emphasized, “We will continue to introduce and develop cutting-edge surgical techniques to improve the quality of life of patients.”
However, he added that V-Notes surgery cannot be applied in all cases and may be difficult in cases of multiple fibroids, narrow vaginal space, or severe intra-abdominal adhesions. On the other hand, hysterectomy is often indicated when preservation of the uterus is not desired. In particular, VNOTES surgery using a single-hole SP robot is often successfully performed for ovarian cyst surgery in unmarried women, so detailed information is required before surgery. They say it would be a good idea to get counseling.
Chunhae Hospital Robotic Surgery Center plans to continue to provide patient-centered medical services through various minimally invasive surgical methods. The success of this VNOTES surgery will be an important milestone in protecting women’s health by providing innovative treatment options to the domestic medical community.
