‘The pain has gone’: keyhole hysterectomy makes busy granny’s life easier

A state-of-the-art hysterectomy procedure, which leaves no scars, is set to change life for millions of Queensland women, with one of its first patients hailing the surgery a groundbreaking success.

Logan Village grandmother Kylie Godfrey said having the non-invasive hysterectomy changed her life and made it easier to look after her granddaughter. Pictures: J&A Photography: Josh Woning

A state-of-the-art hysterectomy procedure, which leaves no scars, is set to change the lives of thousands of Queensland woman with one of its first patients hailing the keyhole surgery a groundbreaking success.

Logan Village grandmother Kylie Godfrey, an executive assistant office manager, said the surgery left no scars and little pain.

Mrs Godfrey, 49, who delayed having a hysterectomy until the procedure was available in Queensland, said her life had changed dramatically since the operation in December.

“I had really hideous menstrual cycles and was in lots of pain,” she said.

“I knew the recovery time was quicker with this new procedure and I have had next to no pain since.

“I was up and about straight after surgery, and home the next day.

“Looking after my five-year-old granddaughter Ruby is much easier now.”

The minimally invasive surgery, performed by Mater Private Hospital Springfield gynaecologist Dr James McLaren, eliminates the need for surgical incisions in the patient’s abdomen.

Mater Private Hospital Springfield Dr James McLaren specialises in the groundbreaking surgery. Picture: Renae Droop/RDW Photography

The Mater Mothers’ specialist studied the technique while working at London’s King’s College Hospital and is one of only a few Queensland surgeons qualified to perform the procedure.

Each year in Australia, more than 32,000 hysterectomies are performed.

Unlike traditional hysterectomies which leave a scar on the abdomen similar to a caesarean section, the Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery, known as vNOTES, removes the uterus and fallopian tubes without an incision.

Special instruments are placed through the vagina into the pelvic cavity, avoiding the need for abdominal skin incisions. 

“Compared with an abdominal hysterectomy procedure, where recovery can take up to six weeks, minimally invasive approaches such as this one, called vNOTES, provides obvious benefits such as faster recovery, less post-operative pain and decreased blood loss,” Dr McLaren said.

“Unlike the standard vaginal approach, vNOTES allows for easy access to the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

“Removal of fallopian tubes at the time of hysterectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

“Reduced operating times and shorter recovery times in hospital are other benefits of this procedure.”