Vaginal Hysterectomy is surgery to remove a woman's uterus. The ovaries and fallopian tubes may also be removed at the same time. Each year more than 600,000 women in the United States will have a hysterectomy. It is the second most common surgical procedure performed in the United States. More than three-fourths of all women who have a hysterectomy are between the ages of 20 and 49.
Are there different types of hysterectomies?
There are three different types of hysterectomies. The type of hysterectomy you have usually depends on the reason for the hysterectomy and your general state of health.
* Vaginal hysterectomy
o You may have a vaginal hysterectomy if your uterus is normal to slightly larger than normal and you do not have large fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or scar tissue (adhesions).
o Vaginal hysterectomy has a shorter hospital stay and a more rapid recovery than abdominal hysterectomy.
o Unless other health problems such as endometriosis or adenomyosis are present that would require an abdominal incision, vaginal hysterectomy is generally the preferred approach.
* Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)
* Abdominal hysterectomy. You will probably have an abdominal hysterectomy if:
o Your doctor suspects cancer of the pelvic organs.
o You have severe endometriosis, extensive scar tissue (adhesions), or a very large uterus.
What is removed during a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy may involve removing part (subtotal) or all of the uterus (complete or total hysterectomy). Most often, the entire uterus is removed. During a hysterectomy, other organs can be removed or repairs can be made to other organs or structures in a woman's pelvic area. These procedures may include:
* Removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (oophorectomy).
* Repair of the bladder (cystocele) or the bowel (rectocele).
* Removal of lymph nodes, structures that support the uterus, and the ovaries. This is called a radical hysterectomy. A radical vaginal hysterectomy may be done to treat cancer of the uterus or cervix.
