LAVH (Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy) is the surgical process of removing the uterus, which may also include the removal of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. The uterus lining is ready for fertilisation after ovulation, which is the root cause of pregnancy. With hysterectomy, a woman won’t have periods or be able to bear a child.
Types of hysterectomy
These are the following types of hysterectomy –
- Total hysterectomy – both the uterus and the cervix are removed.
- Subtotal hysterectomy – only the uterus is removed. The cervix may or may not be removed because it is prone to cancer.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – when a woman goes through severe chronic pain during ovarian cancer, this process is suggested where the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed.
- Radical hysterectomy – if a woman has any kind of cancer in the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus, the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, top vaginal part, pelvic ligaments and lymph nodes are removed.
- Prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy – The fallopian tubes are removed in this procedure. This is done to ensure that ovarian cancer does not happen.
Types of Hysterectomy operations
In order for these hysterectomies to take place, a surgical procedure is followed. This may include three methods. One can be a cut in the lower abdomen, that is called abdominal hysterectomy. In a laparoscopic hysterectomy, three to four small incisions are made in your abdomen, or through your vagina in vaginal hysterectomy.
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Abdominal hysterectomy
In this process, a horizontal cut is made in your lower abdomen. This tends to leave a scar and is generally practised for those women who have very large fibroids or cancer.
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Laparoscopic hysterectomy
In this type of hysterectomy, a telescope is inserted into your body with an incision made in your navel. A couple of more incisions are made and carbon dioxide is inserted into your abdomen to make it blow up like a balloon. This is done so that all your organs can be seen clearly. Then the uterus is removed, with or without the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
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Vaginal hysterectomy
A cut is made in the upper part of the vagina. It removes the uterus and separates it from the ovaries, fallopian tubes and other parts of the lower body.
What is a Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)
Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) is a type of surgery carried out to dispatch the uterus and ovaries. This is done through the uterus. This type of hysterectomy makes a small incision in the abdomen using a laparoscope. There are not many surgeries done with this process. Usually, in cases, a simple laparoscopic hysterectomy works out. However, sometimes it is advised to perform an abdominal or a vaginal hysterectomy. The appropriate procedure is different for each person based on their individual case, medical history and their condition.
Why is this procedure carried out?
A Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy is recommended in cases where there is the development of Fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis or a possible overgrowth of any tissue in the uterus lining.
How is LAVH Performed?
This surgery is carried out in a special operation room where the patient is given general anaesthesia. Then, the doctor inserts a laparoscope in the abdomen and pumps carbon dioxide inside the body to inflate it and make all the organs visible. Incisions are made on the abdomen where small metal tubes, trocars and other tools for microsurgeries are used to perform this. There is a camera on top that captures the images of the body and projects them on the monitor screen. The uterus is then separated by detaching the fallopian tubes and ovaries and other pelvic structures. They are detached from the ligaments and blood supply is stopped to them. An incision is made through which the specimen is returned and after all of these are removed, they are sewed back through stitches.
What are the advantages of LAVH?
There are a few positive sides to this surgery due to which it is highly recommended. Here are a few of them –
- The incisions made during this surgery are relatively small.
- All the scars, pain and the recovery time are lesser as compared to the other processes such as abdominal hysterectomy or a vaginal hysterectomy.
- For those women who haven’t had a child are allowed to get a vaginal hysterectomy done.
- If we compare all the indications and the operation in its entirety, it is noticed that laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy is relatively easier. This is because of the carbon dioxide that inflates the body. The organs are visible on screen which makes it a simpler process.
- One of the best benefits of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy is that you don’t have to convert an abdominal hysterectomy into a vaginal hysterectomy.
What are the common risks or complications of LAVH?
Other than the fact that there are a lot of benefits to this surgery, there are also a few disadvantages as well. These include infection, bleeding, damage to bowel and bladder, adhesions, hernia and thrombosis.
Precautions that need to be taken after LAVH
There are a few precautions you need to carefully follow after you get a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy done. They include:
- You should make sure that you completely avoid lifting any heavyweight objects or perform any strenuous activity for a week straight after the surgery.
- Do not drive or indulge in any extreme movements at least until you are comfortable enough.
- Do not have sexual intercourse or any other sexual activity until your doctor advises you to.
- Try using pads instead of tampons
- If you have a problem with constipation, try using laxatives or stool softeners.
- The one thing you need to keep in mind is to not stress. Only perform tasks if you feel completely comfortable with them. The same is to be said about your otherwise daily activities.
- Rest as much as you can.
- If you feel any of the below-mentioned conditions after the surgery, visit your doctor immediately:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- High fever, more than 100 Fahrenheit
- Sudden sharp pain in your leg area
- A foul smell or a discharge from the vagina
Apollo Cradle, Brookfield
One of the largest and best maternity hospitals in India, Apollo Cradle is the most trusted place for a mother and a child. It offers the best quality treatment and care to its patients and makes sure that it maintains its standards with the best doctors and gynaecologists in the country. There are experienced professionals in nearly everything including Gynecology, Laparoscopy, Pediatrics, Neonatology, Fertility, Fetal Medicine. It is well known for having highly qualified pregnancy specialists.
Apollo Cradle Brookfield, Bangalore, has one of the largest exclusive facilities that are built to suit every woman and cater to their needs, both physical and emotional. This place is filled with advanced equipment and technology that ensures efficiency and positive results to its maximum potential.
Experience
Apollo has multiple operation theatres and the best consultants. Some of them include
- Dr Anju Namashivaya, who has done multiple degrees in MBBS, MRCOG, DRCOG, DFFP. She has 10 years of experience in fetal medicine.
- Dr Namita Kapoor Sehgal, who has degrees in MBBS, MD (OBG), MRCOG and a 24 years experience in gynaecology and obstetrics.
- Dr Garima Jain, who has degrees in MBBS and DNB and experience of 14 years in gynaecology and obstetrics.
- Dr Vibha Rathor, with an MBBS and DGO and 21 years of experience in gynaecology and obstetrics.
- Dr Aparna Jha, with an MBBS, MS, DNB and MRCOG (1) and a 12 years experience in gynaecology and obstetrics.
Benefits
There are various benefits you can avail from treatment at Apollo. They include:
- Equal pricing of Normal Delivery & C-Section
- Ultrasound imaging with the state of art facility
- Highly equipped and specialised Labour and Delivery rooms
- Ambulances with a proper ventilation system
- Highly Trained team of doctors and professionals
- Consultation teams and Counsellors available
- Availability of a 24/7 pharmacy
- Variety of Maternity Packages to choose from
Conclusion
Where science meets hope, Apollo is one of its creation. Here you can rest all your expectations on the hospital and expect the best results with best efforts. The doctors here ensure that your surgeries happen with least harm and utmost care. It is the choice of the patient to decide what is to be done; Apollo just assists with the rest of the work. Making the right choice is very necessary and Apollo will help you at every step you take towards a happy future.
