Sometimes, medicines and other medical procedures are not enough to relieve chronic pelvic pain. When nothing else helps, you may need a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus.
Conditions treated with hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is used to treat conditions such as:
- Endometriosis
- Heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding
- Gynecologic cancer
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic organ prolapse
Main Line Health offers laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) as a minimally invasive approach to removing the uterus.
A less invasive way to remove the uterus
Traditional hysterectomy involves an incision in the abdomen to remove the uterus, and vaginal hysterectomy involves removing the uterus through the vagina. Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy is unique because it combines the benefits of vaginal hysterectomy with the benefits of laparoscopic surgery to help give you the best possible outcome.
Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. allows your surgeon to have a clear view of your uterus by inserting a 3D camera through tiny incisions in the abdomen. Then, the surgeon is able to perform precise surgery by controlling miniature surgical instruments.
If you have laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, your surgeon will make a small incision in your abdomen in order to place the tiny laparoscopic surgical instruments.
Your uterus will then be removed through a small incision made in your vagina.
A shorter recovery time after surgery
The big advantage to laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy over traditional hysterectomy is a shorter recovery time. The small incisions and vaginal removal mean you’ll have less pain after surgery and can return to normal activities much more quickly.
Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy may not be an option if you have certain conditions, including some types of cancer or very large fibroids, or if you have had many previous abdominal surgeries. Talk to your doctor about whether laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy may be an option for you.
