Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore is pioneering a new type of scarless, minimally invasive surgery for women's health called vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery). This advanced procedure is designed to reduce pain and shorten recovery time for patients.
What is vNOTES and Why It’s Transforming Gynecologic Surgery
At Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, surgical innovation meets patient comfort with vNOTES—vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery. This highly specilaised , scarless, minimally invasive technique is changing the way we perform hysterectomies, ovarian cyst removal, fibroid surgery, and more. Patients experience less pain, faster recovery, and no visible scars—without compromising safety or surgical outcomes.
With the vNOTES method, a surgeon enters the pelvic cavity through the vagina. They then inflate the area with carbon dioxide and use a specialized platform called the GelPOINT V-Path to perform the surgery with high-definition cameras. Unlike traditional open surgery, which uses large incisions, or laparoscopy, which requires several small cuts, vNOTES completely eliminates the need for abdominal incisions.
vNOTES is performed entirely through the natural vaginal opening, avoiding any cuts on the abdomen.
Aster CMI’s Leadership in Minimally Invasive Women’s Health
As one of Bangalore’s most advanced multispeciality hospitals, Aster CMI is uniquely equipped to deliver world-class minimally invasive surgery.
With advanced operating rooms, advanced imaging, and a multidisciplinary team, the hospital’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is well-equipped to handle complex vNOTES cases, including those involving prior C-sections, ovarian surgeries, and endometriosis.
In Karnataka, Aster CMI is among the first hospitals with surgeons specially trained in vNOTES, ensuring patients benefit from the latest advancements in women’s health.
Key Benefits of vNOTES Surgery for Patients
Switching to vNOTES surgery offers multiple, research-backed advantages:
• No visible scarring – all surgery is done internally
A vNOTES does not involve abdominal cuts since the procedure is entirely performed through the vaginal opening. This not only offers a major cosmetic advantage—leaving no tell-tale surgical scars—but also helps patients avoid issues like delayed wound healing, skin irritation, or keloid formation that can occur with external incisions. This provides significant cosmetic benefits by leaving no visible surgical scars, while also helping patients avoid complications such as delayed wound healing, skin irritation, or keloid formation associated with external incisions.
• Shorter surgery time – often completed within 1–2 hours
The absence of abdominal skin incisions means surgeons can move straight to the target organs without the additional time needed for opening and closing the abdomen. This efficiency reduces the amount of time a patient spends under anesthesia, which in turn lowers anesthesia-related risks and speeds up the recovery process.
• Patient recovery - many return home within 24 hours
Unlike open surgery, which may require several days in the hospital, most vNOTES patients are discharged the same day. This minimizes hospital-related stress, reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and allows patients to rest and recover in the comfort of their own homes sooner.
• Less pain & fewer painkillers – reduced trauma to abdominal muscles
By avoiding abdominal incisions, vNOTES eliminates one of the biggest sources of post-surgical pain—the cutting and stretching of abdominal muscles. As a result, patients typically require only mild pain relief for a short duration, reducing the side effects and dependency risks associated with strong pain medications.
• Lower risk of complications – no port-site hernias or large wound infections
In laparoscopy and open surgery, incision sites can be prone to infection, bleeding, or hernias. Since vNOTES bypasses the abdominal wall entirely, these risks are significantly reduced. Additionally, the use of advanced imaging and instruments ensures precision, which further minimizes surgical complications.
• Cost-effective – shorter hospital stay and reduced surgical time
Less time in the operating theater, reduced need for post-operative pain management, and faster discharge all contribute to lower overall treatment costs. Patients also benefit financially from an earlier return to work or normal daily activities, minimizing lost income during recovery.
• Early mobility – return to work and daily activities in 2–4 weeks
It is common for vNOTES patients to begin walking within hours of surgery and take part in light activities within a week of surgery. Within two to four weeks, many are back to their regular routines—something that can take six weeks or more with traditional surgical approaches. This quick return to mobility aids in maintaining muscle strength, enhancing mental well-being, and decreasing the risk of post-surgical complications such as deep vein thrombosis.
Conditions Treated with vNOTES at Aster CMI Hospital
At Aster CMI, vNOTES is used for:
- Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus
- Ovarian cyst removal
- Fibroid removal
- Oophorectomy: removal of the ovaries
- Tubal sterilization
- Salpingectomy: removal of fallopian tubes.
- Selected cases of endometriosis and abnormal uterine bleeding
Even for patients who are not fit for laparoscopy or robotic surgery due to airway complications (e.g., interstitial lung disease), vNOTES provides a safe alternative.
How vNOTES Compares to Laparoscopic and Open Surgery
Traditional hysterectomy often involves large incisions, long hospital stays, and significant postoperative discomfort. Laparoscopy improved this with smaller cuts, but vNOTES goes further by eliminating external incisions.
Advantages over other methods:
• Less blood loss
• Lower infection risk
• Minimal abdominal muscle disruption
• Faster return to daily life
What to Expect Before, During, and After vNOTES Surgery
• Before Surgery – Your Aster CMI gynecologist will evaluate your condition to confirm that vNOTES is right for you.
• During Surgery – Under general anesthesia, the surgeon works through the vaginal route using a high-definition camera for precision.
• After Surgery – Most patients go home the same day, need minimal pain relief, and resume light activities within two weeks. Full recovery, including exercise and sexual activity, typically occurs after six weeks.
Book Your vNOTES Consultation at Aster CMI Bangalore.
If you are considering surgery for fibroids, ovarian cysts, abnormal bleeding, or other gynecological conditions, speak to the vNOTES specialists at Aster CMI Hospital.
Make an appointment now and find out if this scar-free, faster-recovery option is for you.