Vaginal Hysterectomy to Remove Uterine Fibroids, Diseased Organs

A vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure to remove the uterus and sometimes other organs and tissues from a woman. The purpose of any hysterectomy is removing the uterus and it may also be used to treat a specific problem such as uterine fibroids or to remove diseased organs and tissues. In some cases, especially in cancers, an abdominal incision may be preferable because the abdominal incision allows freer access and view. However, a smaller discreet incision may be a better choice for many women. It is a less intrusive operation than an abdominal hysterectomy for a few reasons. For example, the incision is smaller and heals faster. In addition, there is less obvious scarring. A woman who has a benign condition may also prefer to undergo a vaginal hysterectomy because the hospital stay may be shorter and therefore more cost effective.

To do a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon accesses the uterus through the vagina. A circular incision is made around the cervix and the uterus can be removed. A physician may also opt to use laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. In this technique a minor incision is made in the abdominal area, around the navel. An imaging device is threaded through and used to view the pubic region. The surgeon(s) will make a vaginal incision as well and will pull the uterus out from there.

When considering the pros and cons of a vaginal hysterectomy it’s important to consider the reasons why the hysterectomy is wanted and needed in the first place. If the hysterectomy is in response to fibroids for example, the size of the tumors could influence the decision. If the tumors are large, going through the abdomen may be more efficient. The vaginal hysterectomy is often the preferred choice because of the many advantages over the alternative; less scarring, faster recovery and reduced hospitalization but it may only be recommended under the right conditions.

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