Vaginal Hysterectomy

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy

This procedure is the same as in the TAH, performed vaginally

Acronym: TVH

Description of procedure: The doctor removes the uterus and cervix through a cut in the vagina. As with the TAH the top of the vagina is repaired by being sewn to form the vaginal cuff. Indications/contra-indications: This is usually the surgery of choice if you have prolapse, if there is no possibility of cancer, if your uterus is not too enlarged and if you've delivered vaginally. This type of surgery is not recommended when the surgeon needs to have space to look around, if there is danger of cancer cells or of endo spreading, if you have not delivered vaginally or if your uterus is enlarged beyond a certain size. This surgery can entail additional bleeding. Due to the lack of the presence of an incision, it is easy to forget you've just had major surgery and run the risk of thinking that they are further ahead in their recovery.

Initial Recovery: Expect 6 to 8 weeks of recovery, with lifting and straining restrictions for this whole period. It is also normal to expect to have a restriction on intercourse for the whole of the initial recovery period.

Variations on a theme: It is also possible that your doctor will may opt to perform a Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH). If that is the case, the cervix is still removed.