Billings Clinic Bozeman Offers New Minimally-Invasive vNOTES Procedure for Hysterectomy

Billings Clinic Bozeman now offers a modern, minimally-invasive option for patients needing a hysterectomy. Jan Hunt, MD, an OB/GYN with Billings Clinic Bozeman, is the only physician in Montana certified to perform the procedure, called vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES).

“This is the latest and most minimally-invasive procedure available,” Dr. Hunt said. “vNOTES provides a comprehensive solution for hysterectomy and has proved to show tremendous outcomes for patients.”

As a new advancement in minimally-invasive surgery, vNOTES offers another option for some patients to consider for hysterectomy. In addition to not requiring incisions on the patient’s abdomen, vNOTES has shown additional benefits that can include shorter hospital stays, less pain after surgery, meaning less need for pain medication, and a faster recovery time.

vNOTES is performed under general anesthesia, allowing the patient to sleep throughout the procedure. Through a small incision in the patient’s groin area, Dr. Hunt uses a specialized vNOTES device to access the uterus and/or fallopian tubes and ovaries. This also allows Dr. Hunt to use a small high-definition camera and specialized instruments to operate with precision and high-quality visualization. Once the surgery is complete, the vNOTES device is removed and all internal incisions are closed.

The decision to have a hysterectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove a patient’s uterus, can be a difficult one. Dr. Hunt notes that, at this point, when it comes to hysterectomy, vNOTES is a great option for those who are candidates, but that each case and person is different; women must choose the option that suits them best.

“When a woman is considering a hysterectomy, we discuss possible routes, subsequent recovery times and the risks and benefits of each option,” she said. “Of course, the reason the woman is having a hysterectomy, anatomy and other factors may determine which route is best for her.”

Hysterectomies are one of the most common procedures in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about a quarter of women in the U.S. between ages 45 and 64 have had one, and that percentage increases in older age groups. They have traditionally required more extensive operations with an extended recovery time. vNOTES, Billings Clinic Bozeman and Dr. Hunt aim to provide another option with the latest advancement in minimally-invasive surgery for hysterectomy.

“Keeping patients in the region closer to home for the best care available and getting them back on their feet as quickly as possible is our goal every time,” Dr. Hunt said. “That’s why we wanted to make sure vNOTES is available locally.”

To learn more about all of the services at Billings Clinic Bozeman, please visitwww.billingsclinic. com/bozeman.