Surgical outcomes of hysterectomy by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) compared with laparoscopic total hysterectomy (LTH) in women with non-prolapsed and benign uterine diseases

Abstract Objective We aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between hysterectomy by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) and laparoscopic total hysterectomy (LTH). Materials and methods This study is a retrospective chart analysis. From January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017, a total of 183 patients of reproductive age with an indication for hysterectomy due to non-prolapsed and benign uterine diseases were enrolled. After exclusion, 20 patients were included in the vNOTES group, and 66 patients were included in the LTH group. Various post-operative surgical outcomes such as operative time, blood loss, uterus weight, a decrease in hemoglobin level on post-operative day one, post-operative pain scale, complications, length of hospitalization, and re-admission rate were measured. Results No difference was observed between both groups regarding operative time, blood loss, uterine weight, a decrease in hemoglobin level on post-operative day one, complications, hospital stay, and re-admission rate. Patients in the vNOTES group had significantly less post-operative pain compared with those in the LTH group (p = 0.03). Conclusions The surgical outcomes of hysterectomy by vNOTES could be similar to those of LTH. Patients undergoing hysterectomy by vNOTES may have less post-operative pain compared with those undergoing LTH. However, the sample size was small, and the results need more evidence to confirm these findings.