MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) 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), marking another milestone in the country’s healthcare sector.

In a release, the hospital said the advanced procedure allows surgeons to perform operations through the vaginal canal using specialised instruments and a camera, eliminating the need for external abdominal incisions and visible scarring.

The breakthrough was achieved during a three-day surgical mission held from June 9 to 11, 2026, when local doctors partnered with specialist surgeons from the Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC). The annual mission is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s capacity in advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries.

Senior Resident in the Department of Surgery at MRH, Dr Ashok Kotagiri, said the teams completed approximately 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,” Dr Kotagiri said.

He noted that the surgeries performed during the mission required a higher level of expertise than those usually undertaken.

“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 USA and Europe, not all gynaecologists have the skills to perform this advanced laparoscopic gynaecological surgery,” he added.

Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Southern California and volunteer physician with JAAC, Dr Sharon Shiraga, said the mission focused not only on patient care but also 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,” Dr Shiraga said.

She also highlighted the benefits of hands-on mentorship during the programme.

“One of the patients that we’ve just finished here, we had a junior resident perform the surgery very successfully. So, I think it’s very nice to have a team participate and kind of gain more confidence in the ability to perform laparoscopic surgeries,” she said.

Senior Resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at MRH, Dr Toshikah Wheatley-Williams, described the introduction of vNOTES as a major advancement for patient care.

“This is going to be a game changer for our patients. Of course, it’s minimally invasive and so we have the advantages of that as well. Women will be able to go back to their day-to-day activities in no time,” she said.

The release also noted that the JAAC team donated laparoscopic and other surgical supplies valued at an estimated J$5 million. The equipment and materials are expected to support patient care at the hospital, particularly for individuals who may be unable to afford specialised items required for advanced procedures.