Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy

Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy or LAVH (with or without removal of tubes and/or ovaries) is done with both the band-aid incisions for the laparoscopic instruments and a vaginal incision. Again, conversion of a hysterectomy that would otherwise have to be done through an abdominal incision with more pain and recovery time is performed with a combination of the above procedures. In this case, the procedure is done as with and LSH but the uterus is not removed f rom the cervix. The laparoscopic aspect of the procedure is completed down to the level of the cervix. The surgeon then performs the remainder of the procedure with a circular incision around the cervix and removes the entire uterus (tubes and ovaries if indicated) through the vagina. The recovery is similar to a vaginal hysterectomy including either outpatient discharge or an overnight stay with return to work in 2-4 weeks and resumption of heavy lifting and sexual intercourse in 6 weeks.