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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although vaginal hysterectomy is generally safe, any surgery has risks. Risks of vaginal hysterectomy include:

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Blood clots in the legs or lungs
  • Infection
  • Damage to surrounding organs
  • Adverse reaction to anesthesia

Surgical risks are higher in women who are obese or who have diabetes or high blood pressure.

There is a risk of injury to other pelvic and abdominal organs during vaginal hysterectomy, including the bladder, ureters or bowel.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. About hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus, or womb. American College of Surgeons. http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/brochures/hysterectomy.pdf. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  2. Falcone T. Overview of hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  3. Hysterectomy fact sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health. http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/hysterectomy.cfm. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  4. Stovall TG, et al. Vaginal hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  5. Frequently asked questions. Special procedures FAQ008. Hysterectomy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq008.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121106T1337303494. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  6. Muralidhar MM, et al. Vaginal hysterectomy for benign disease without prolapse. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;53:5.
  7. Hoffman BL, et al. Williams Gynecology. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=768. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
  8. Lyons T. Laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 6, 2012.
MY00099 Dec. 11, 2012

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