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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough vaginal hysterectomy is generally safe, any surgery has risks. These include blood loss or clots, infection, damage to surrounding organs or reaction to anesthesia. Surgical risks are higher in women who are obese or who have diabetes or high blood pressure.
The location of the uterus in the pelvis means there is a risk of injury to other pelvic and abdominal organs during vaginal hysterectomy, including the bladder, ureters or bowel. The risk of organ injury is greater if large fibroids, severe endometriosis or cancer obstructs the surgeon's view or otherwise makes the surgery difficult.
- About hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus, or womb. American College of Surgeons. http://www.facs.org/public_info/operation/hysterectomy.pdf. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Falcone T, et al. Overview of hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Hysterectomy. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://womenshealth.gov/faq/hysterectomy.cfm. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Stovall TG, et al. Vaginal hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Hysterectomy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp008.cfm. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Cain J, et al. Gynecology. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.; McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=5025391. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Wieslander CK, et al. Therapeutic gynecologic procedures. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2391554. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Lyons T. Laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 10, 2010.
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