Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) Surgery

LAVH surgery is minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, in which your surgeon will perform a hysterectomy—a surgical procedure to remove the uterus—through small incisions in your abdomen.

LAVH surgery is performed with general anesthesia.

LAVH surgery is generally safe and effective. You should also know that Hancock Regional Hospital has been rated one of the safest hospitals in America by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care watchdog organization; and was named the safest hospital in Indiana on the Lown Institute Hospital Index.

The LAVH procedure is not right for all patients who require a hysterectomy, and an open surgery may be recommended. Depending on the reason you’re considering a hysterectomy, other alternatives may include endometrial ablation, uterine artery embolization (UAE), and medications.

LAVH surgery is very effective, with a success rate of about 95%.

Your health insurance provider may require you to get a referral from your primary care provider to see a surgeon about LAVH surgery.

You can always get a second or third opinion, but it isn’t required.

Your health history will be compiled and available to the team before, during, and after surgery. If you’re a Hancock Health patient, we will be able to access your records within our system. If you aren’t, we’ll work with your doctors to get the necessary information.

In most cases, insurance will cover most of the costs associated with medically necessary LAVH surgery. To get an idea of what LAVH surgery might cost, use our Price Estimator Tool.

Hancock Health is committed to helping make great care affordable for all patients. To find out more about payment options, please visit the billing and insurance FAQ page at HancockRegionalHospital.org.

 You’ll be instructed not to eat anything after midnight on the day of your surgery, and you might also be told to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements.

You’ll arrive an hour before your surgery and be escorted to the preoperative waiting area.You’ll remove all of your clothing and jewelry, and put on a hospital gown. (Your valuables will be placed in a secure area or may be given to a family member.) You’ll sign any necessary paperwork and a preoperative nurse will take your vital signs, review your medications, and answer any questions.You’ll meet your surgery team and they’ll mark the location of the surgery on your body. An I.V. (intravenous line) will be placed in your hand or arm, so medications—including general anesthesia—can be administered.When it’s time for your surgery, you will be wheeled into the operating suite on a stretcher.

In addition to the surgeon, you have an anesthesiologist, nurses—some of them specialize in working with patients and others assist the surgeon—and support staff, who will check you in and out, compile your records, and more. They all work together, performing their individual jobs, so the procedure is as successful as possible.

 Although some patients can go home the same day, LAVH surgery typically requires an overnight hospital stay. You should bring everything you’ll need for a night or two in the hospital, including changes of underwear, glasses or contacts, headphones, and your medications.

Your pelvic area may be shaved, and you’ll be given anesthesia. When you’re asleep, your surgeon will make a small incision in your belly and insert a small camera (laparoscope) to view the operation on a monitor, and a harmless gas will be put into your abdomen to expand the area around your organs. If your surgeon thinks the LAVH surgery can be accomplished successfully, other small incisions will be made to small tools—scissors, forceps, clamps, and others—can be inserted. Your surgeon will cut the uterus from the vagina and remove the uterus through the cut. The cuts are then all closed with stitches, and the operation is complete.

LAVH surgery typically takes two to three hours.

You should expect to spend a day or two recovering in the hospital after LAVH surgery.

Immediately following surgery, you’ll spend time in the recovery room and receive pain medication. You’ll then be taken to your hospital room where you will be able to see friends or family who came with you.

You’ll be able to talk to your surgeon after your procedure, in the recovery room or your hospital room.

In most cases, patients receive pain medication immediately following surgery. 

You may be prescribed pain medication, anticoagulants, antibiotics, and/or other symptom-reducing medications after surgery.

You should be able to return to fairly normal activity, including going up and down stairs, after your LAVH surgery. Follow all postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon. You should expect some minor vaginal bleeding or discharge, and you should refrain from sex for a few weeks after surgery. You should not use a tampon, or put anything into your vagina, until you are fully healed. 

You’ll have an appointment with your surgeon about two weeks after your surgery to check on results and discuss any issues you might be having.

You’ll need fresh dressings but you won’t need antibiotic ointment, as putting it on the incisions is unnecessary. 

Call your doctor if you experience fever or chills; heavy vaginal discharge or bleeding; redness, bleeding, or discharge around an incision; problems with urination or bowel movements; or extreme pain.