The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) in Manchester has become the first hospital in Jamaica to perform a scar-free minimally invasive vaginal surgery known as Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES).The groundbreaking procedure, which allows surgeons to operate through the vaginal canal using specialised instruments and a camera, eliminates the need for abdominal incisions and visible scarring.The milestone was achieved during a three-day surgical mission held from June 9 to 11, when local doctors partnered with specialist surgeons from the Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC). The annual mission aims to strengthen Jamaica's capacity in advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery.Senior Resident in the Department of Surgery at MRH, Dr Ashok Kotagiri, said the teams completed about 21 advanced procedures during the mission.“These included advanced laparoscopic hernia repairs using techniques such as Transabdominal Preperitoneal, Totally Extraperitoneal and Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh, laparoscopic gallbladder removal, and advanced laparoscopic gynaecological procedures, including hysterectomies, bilateral salpingectomies and ovarian cyst surgeries using the vNOTES approach,” he explained.Kotagiri noted that the procedures performed require a higher level of expertise than routine surgeries.“The type of surgeries we are doing, they are not the simple everyday surgeries. These are advanced surgeries. I am glad that our gynaecologists at MRH are the first team to perform this advanced surgery in Jamaica. Even in the United States and Europe, not all gynaecologists have the skills to perform this advanced laparoscopic gynaecological surgery,” he said.Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Southern California and JAAC volunteer physician, Dr Sharon Shiraga, said the mission places a strong emphasis on training local medical teams.“We’re here at Mandeville Hospital helping the residents and doctors to enhance their laparoscopy surgery by doing hernia surgeries, gallbladder surgeries and any other advanced surgeries of laparoscopy they would like to have,” she said.Senior Resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MRH, Dr Toshikah Wheatley-Williams, described the introduction of vNOTES as a “game changer” for patients, noting that the minimally invasive procedure allows women to return to their daily activities more quickly.The JAAC team also donated laparoscopic and other surgical supplies valued at approximately J$5 million to support patient care and expand access to advanced procedures.