Vaginal Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy (womb removal) is the most frequent surgery in women following the cesarean section. Your doctor must discuss with you the decision of undertaking this surgery. Today there are several ways to prevent it, and these have their specific indications.  Thus, it is possible to perform hysteroscopic myomectomies, treatments with medicated inter-uterine devices, endometrial ablation with specific instruments, and even the use of medications. The womb preservation has a different relevance for each patient and may be fundamental for the maintenance of the reproductive function.

There are basically four ways to perform a hysterectomy: abdominal (with an incision similar to the cesarean), laparoscopic, vaginal assisted by laparoscopy and vaginal.  Abdominal hysterectomy is still the most commonly used way worldwide, although today, it is ideally reserved only for special cases. Laparoscopy (through video-surgery) is specially indicated in cases of endometriosis and vaginal assisted by laparoscopy may be prescribed when there are ovarian or fallopian tumors associated. The Cochrane Library revised the studies from 27 medical centers, involving 3643 patients, comparing the three methods of hysterectomy: abdominal, laparoscopic and vaginal.  Vaginal hysterectomy is the one which demands lower hospitalization period, presents fewer complications and enables quicker return to the regular activities, and is also the less expensive method. The surgery is performed using the method that brings the most appropriate advantages for the patient.

Our group has over 4 years of experience in Teaching Hospital (Pérola Byington), providing treatment to patients that need hysterectomy, which is performed in a semi-ambulatory fashion. Thus, the patient is hospitalized in the morning, undergoes the necessary examinations, is subjected to vaginal hysterectomy in the afternoon and is released in the next Day. Many women, when released can’t even believe they just had surgery!