To treat certain problems of the uterus, your doctor may suggest a procedure called laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). LAVH combines laparoscopy and hysterectomy. Laparoscopy is used to look into the abdomen at the reproductive organs. Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Your doctor may suggest using laparoscopy to see inside the abdomen and help with the surgery.

What Is LAVH?

LAVH is a special form of hysterectomy—removal of the uterus. The uterus is a reproductive organ in the lower abdomen. It holds the fetus during pregnancy. When a woman is not pregnant, the uterus sheds its lining each month during her menstrual period.

The uterus can be removed in two ways. When it is removed through a cut (incision) in the abdomen, the procedure is called an abdominal hysterectomy. When it is removed through the vagina, it is called a vaginal hysterectomy. After a vaginal hysterectomy, women often have less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery than after an abdominal hysterectomy. Sometimes, a laparoscope allows a vaginal hysterectomy to be done when it could not be done safely otherwise.

LAVH involves the use of a small, telescope-like device called a laparoscope. The laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small cut. It brings light into the abdomen so that your doctor can see inside. He or she views the pelvic organs on a special TV-like screen.

During laparoscopy, other small cuts are made in the abdomen. These allow your doctor to insert other devices to help move organs into view, perform parts of the surgery, and remove the uterus through the vagina.

The laparoscope also can be used before hysterectomy to look at the pelvic organs to help your doctor see what conditions are present. Then, he or she can decide whether the uterus can be removed through the vagina.