New hysterectomy surgery at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital eliminates abdomen incisions

A new surgery for a common procedure has fixed a Queensland woman’s 15 years of agony and allowed her to go home the next day with no scars.

A “life-changing” new surgery fixed a Queensland woman’s 15 years of agony and allowed her to go home the next day with no scars and hardly any residual pain.

The new surgical technique is being rolled out more broadly in Brisbane, and is a new way to do hysterectomies – which more than 30,000 Australian women have every year.

Two of the three current common hysterectomy methods leave the patient with a scar.

But the new vNOTES technique eliminates the need for incisions in the patient’s abdomen.

Kimberley Smith, 38, had a vNOTES hysterectomy at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital after immense pain and bleeding for 15 years since the birth of her daughter Savannah.

“I would be in excruciating pain and cramping, three to five days per month,” she said.

Savannah with mum Kimberley Smith, 38, who underwent a hysterectomy at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I was always going to have the procedure done, but I was actually deterred by having this particular procedure (vNOTES technique), because my mother had a hysterectomy 35 years ago using the same entry route (through the vagina) and she had a bad experience.

“But (Mater gynaecologist Dr James McLaren) really reassured me of the benefits of the procedure so I felt more comfortable, then I did my own research and looked at cases of other women who had had the procedure and that gave me more confidence.”

After reassurance from her surgeon, Ms Smith went ahead with the procedure – and said it had been “life-changing”.

“I’m not experiencing the extreme pain I used to,” she said.

Kimberley Smith had a vNOTES hysterectomy at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital after pain and bleeding for 15 years since the birth of her daughter Savanna. Picture: iStock

“I was up and out of bed on the same day I had the procedure, so that was phenomenal. “There was no external scarring whatsoever, and I had minimal pain.

“I was back to doing Pilates and yoga a week later.”

Dr McLaren, who performed Ms Smith’s procedure, is one of only six Queensland surgeons currently performing the vNOTES hysterectomy.

He has helped colleagues train in the procedure and it should soon be available at Mater’s Brisbane private hospital and Springfield hospital.

“It’s less pain for the patient following the procedure and a quicker recovery, therefore less time off work,” he said.

Kimberley Smith, who underwent a hysterectomy at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital, with daughter Savannah. Picture: Peter Wallis

“They also don’t have scars on their tummy... so that’s a big benefit through this new approach.”

Dr McLaren said hysterectomies used to be very common, but are now a last-line treatment option.

However, they are still used to treat a variety of conditions.

“Hysterectomies are done to address heavy menstrual bleeding when we have failed with other more conservative options; they also treat pelvic pain conditions such as endometriosis, or patients with abnormal cells in the lining of the womb.

“It (vNOTES) will not replace other (hysterectomy) methods, but it is another option we can use to treat the same conditions, and is a very good option for the right patients.”