What Is a Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy?
Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) is a surgery that uses laparoscopy or small holes with instruments or cameras in the abdomen and an incision in the vagina to remove the uterus. Though still a relatively new surgery, the development of LVAH has been welcomed. It makes it possible to perform vaginal hysterectomy on a greater number of patients. It is also associated with fairly minimal scarring, and less pain and complications, plus faster post-operative recovery time. In an abdominal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through an incision in the abdomen, while with a vaginal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through an incision inside the vagina. This surgery isn’t appropriate if a patient has conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, a very large uterus, or if the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also being removed.
