A Vietnamese-American professor returns to transfer scarless gynecologic surgery technique

After nearly 30 years of studying, conducting research, and practicing medicine in the United States, Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh has returned to Vietnam to transfer the most advanced gynecologic surgery technique to Vietnamese doctors.

transfer scarless gynecologic surgery technique

In early March 2025, Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh, Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, returned to Vietnam to train doctors at Tam Anh HCMC General Hospital in vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (V-NOTES).

Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh is a leading expert in obstetric and gynecologic surgery in the United States, with nearly 30 years of experience and numerous notable achievements. He also plays a key role in medical education and research at the University of Texas.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh (wearing glasses) guiding surgeons during the procedure.

Over the past 4 years, Professor Chinh has performed nearly 150 V-NOTES procedures. This technique uses specialized V-NOTES instruments inserted through the vaginal canal into the pelvic cavity, allowing surgeons to access the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries without making any abdominal incisions, unlike traditional laparoscopic surgery.

According to Professor Truong Chinh, this method offers several benefits for patients: less pain, faster recovery, no visible scarring, reduced need for pain medication, and lower risk of infection. In the United States, the technique is favored by patients for its aesthetic advantages and its ability to save time and treatment costs.

At the end of 2024, recognizing the growing demand among Vietnamese women for advanced treatment and minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Level II Specialist and Director of the Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tam Anh HCMC General Hospital invited Professor Truong Chinh to return to Vietnam and share the vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery technique with local doctors. This marked an important step forward, not only in enhancing the surgical skills of Vietnamese medical professionals but also in providing patients access to cutting-edge treatment options right in Vietnam.

“I’ve always wanted to share the latest medical advancements with Vietnam, so that patients here can access the best treatment options without having to go abroad”, Professor Dr. Truong Chinh shared. “When I received the invitation from my colleagues in Vietnam, I rearranged my work schedule and brought the surgical instruments back with me to teach”.

During this special return to his homeland, Professor Truong Chinh provided in-depth analysis and hands-on guidance to help local doctors fully understand the advanced surgical technique. At Tam Anh General Hospital, Dr. Nguyen Ba My Nhi, Level II Specialist, together with Professor Chinh, performed the first demonstration surgery using the V-NOTES technique. The patient, Ms. Hanh, 51 years old, had entered menopause one year prior and was found to have a large ovarian mass during a checkup. A CT scan revealed a mass with heterogeneous density, containing calcified and fatty components, with relatively well-defined borders. The doctors diagnosed it as a benign ovarian dermoid cyst.

The ovarian mass on the patient’s left side measured 9×10 cm, with calcified and fatty components visible inside. Based on lab tests and ultrasound results, it was likely a benign ovarian dermoid cyst. Instead of undergoing traditional laparoscopic surgery, which typically requires 3 to 4 abdominal incisions, Ms. Hanh underwent surgery using the new V-NOTES technique. Postoperatively, she experienced no pain, recovered quickly, had no visible scars, and was discharged 24 hours after surgery.

Professor Dr. Nguyen Quoc Truong Chinh trained doctors in performing the new surgical technique.

According to Dr. My Nhi, vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (V-NOTES) represents a significant advancement in modern medicine. Compared to traditional surgical methods, V-NOTES does not require abdominal incisions, which helps reduce the risk of infection, causes less postoperative pain, and allows for faster recovery. Specialized V-NOTES instruments are inserted through the vaginal canal into the pelvic cavity, enabling surgeons to access the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries without making cuts on the abdominal skin as in conventional laparoscopic surgery. This technique requires a high degree of precision and extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery.

Global medical literature recognizes this as a minimally invasive surgical method that has the potential to replace traditional laparoscopic surgery. This advanced technique has already become widespread in Europe, North America, South America, and Japan. In Southeast Asia, Singapore has adopted the technique, while other countries in the region have yet to implement it widely. In the near future, more physicians are expected to learn and apply this technique in clinical practice.

Currently, V-NOTES is widely used around the world to treat various gynecological conditions such as ovarian cyst removal, uterine fibroid removal, female sterilization, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and ectopic pregnancy removal.

“In the United States, this is a commonly applied technique, and I believe that in the near future, doctors at Tam Anh HCMC General Hospital will successfully implement it as well”, Professor Chinh emphasized.

Vietnamese people spend approximately USD 2 billion each year seeking medical treatment abroad, and this figure could rise to USD 3–4 billion in the coming years. Many individuals are willing to spend hundreds of millions on surgeries overseas because certain advanced techniques are still not widely available domestically.

According to Dr. My Nhi, with the advancement of medical science, Vietnamese doctors must continue to learn and adopt modern techniques to meet the growing needs of patients. The Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology aims to become a leading women’s healthcare center in the ASEAN region. Over the past years, the center has actively promoted international collaboration, high-quality workforce training, infrastructure investment, and the development of advanced medical specialties, enabling Vietnamese people to access cutting-edge treatments right here in Vietnam, reducing treatment costs while still ensuring top-tier medical quality.

Representatives of Tam Anh General Hospital presented a letter of appreciation to Professor Truong Chinh (right) and Dr. Trieu (center).

“Returning to Vietnam is not just a business trip, it’s a journey of the heart”, Professor Chinh emphasized. “I hope that the knowledge and experience I bring can contribute to the advancement of our country’s medical field and help more patients receive better treatment”.

The return of Professor Truong Chinh not only brings meaningful advancements to the medical field but also reflects a deep sense of patriotism and the strong connection between the overseas Vietnamese intellectual community and their homeland.