Panama Medical Vacations

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Coming to Panama for a Vaginal Hysterectomy

It’s a decision that no women wants to consider but one that many face each year. Whether caused by cancer, endometriosis or other problems, a large number of women face the decision about hysterectomy each year. While nothing will make this a pleasant decision, new techniques have been developed to make this decision less painful. One of the new techniques available is a vaginal hysterectomy and you can come to Hospital Punta Pacifica in Panama to get this procedure.

The Procedure

A vaginal hysterectomy is when the vagina is stretched and kept open by special instruments; there are no external incisions made. There is however an internal incision at the top of the vagina around the cervix. The uterus and cervix are then cut from their supporting ligaments and surrounding tissue, and then the connecting blood vessels are tied off. The uterus and cervix are then removed through the vagina, which is then closed to prevent infection and to keep the intestines from dropping downward.

After your surgery

A vaginal hysterectomy is less traumatic and a woman can usually go home within 12 hours after the surgery. Another feature of a vaginal hysterectomy is the lack of scarring. Since most of the access is through the vagina, there is little scarring related to a vaginal hysterectomy when compared to an abdominal hysterectomy. In fact you will have no noticeable scar in the summer when you don your bikini!

The vaginal hysterectomy is easier to recover from post-surgery than an abdominal hysterectomy. Even though the incision is small, an abdominal hysterectomy usually causes a more difficult recovery; in fact the recovery is similar to the c-section. This is a prime reason that the vaginal hysterectomy is the preferred choice a woman who is having a hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomies can be very painful to overcome in the first couple of days following the surgery.

Risks

A vaginal hysterectomy is generally very safe, but with any major surgery comes the risk of complications. Such complications include blood clots, infection, excessive bleeding or an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other risks of hysterectomy are:

Damage to your urinary tract, bladder or rectum during surgery, which may require further surgical repair
Loss of ovarian function
Early onset of menopause