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The Different Ways of Vaginal Hysterectomy In the Market

27th July, 2009 - Posted by health news - No Comments

In the past, only two options were available- getting an abdominal hysterectomy or a vaginal hysterectomy. However, knowing that you are getting a vaginal hysterectomy is only the first choice because there are many surgeries that you choose from.

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy (or TVH as it is popularly known) is performed by making an incision through the vagina instead of the abdomen.The complete cervix and two ovaries are removed along with the cervix. Should your surgeon require a check of cancer cells or spreading endometriosis, then it is not recommendable to have a TVH. Furthermore, if you have an engorged uterus to a certain degree or, for other women, have not delivered vaginally, getting a TVH is also not advisable. There is potentially more loss of blood with this type of surgery.

With a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy, you can expect 6 to 8 weeks of recovery, with lifting and straining restrictions for this whole period. As well, you will have a restriction on intercourse for the whole of the initial recovery period. Since the ovaries are removed, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as you will be thrown into what is called surgical menopause.

A Partial Vaginal Hysterectomy (PVH) is a similar procedure but the ovaries and/or all or part of the cervix are not removed. The ovaries are still present and still secrete hormones after a PVT, therefore HRT is not an immediate concern. A Partial Vaginal Hysterectomy’s recovery period is also 6-8 weeks like a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy.

A Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy or LAVH is a procedure which has a laparoscope and other small instruments inserted through trocars, or small metal tubes, through several cuts made on the abdomen. Almost all of the cutting of the uterus and the cervix are done using the holes made by the trocars, after which the cut parts are removed through the vagina.

Depending on your doctor’s decision, the LAVH may either be partial or total. Again, the decision to have HRT depends on whether the surgery is total or partial.

A Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy’s recovery period is, more often than not, shorter than the recovery period of the TVH or the PVH. After a LAVH, there will be a 4-6 week recovery period with the same restrictions on lifting and straining. The same restrictions on intercourse remain in place as with other types of vaginal hysterectomy.

Check out http://www.hysterectomyresources.com for additional information on vaginal hysterectomy, the different kinds of surgery and what else to expect prior to and after your surgery.