**9.5 Treatment of vaginal cuff**

In the technique we used for a vaginal hysterectomy for a non-prolapsed uterus, we adopted the Wertheim manner of closing the peritoneal cavity and the remaining vaginal edges. The main drawback of this maneuver is the closing of the surgical field without controlling the hemostasis until the end of the operation. We modified the technique, closing down the pelvic-peritoneal space and anchoring the superior vagina to the remaining cuffs of the inferior pedicle containing the most substantial elements of suspension – the uterosacral ligaments. With this procedure, the prevention of vaginal vault prolapse is done like the McCall procedure.

**Figure 24.**

*Closing the posterior pelvic-subperitoneal space by running suture. The edge of the vagina (green arrow) is sutured together with the visceral posterior peritoneum (yellow arrow).*

*Perspective Chapter: Total Vaginal Hysterectomy for Unprolapsed Uterus DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101383*

The manner we proposed is done in three distinct times:

	- a. Closure of the pelvic-subperitoneal posterior space

Closing down the pelvic-subperitoneal space is done by running a suture with Vicryl nr. 0 to close the edge of the vagina and the posterior visceral peritoneum, starting from the lower pedicle on one side to the similar pedicle on the other side (**Figure 24**).

b. Closure of the pelvic-subperitoneal anterior space

This step usually is not necessary, but when the dissection of the bladder wall is difficult or in the case of an inadvertent wound, closing the space between the bladder and vagina is the best alternative. By joining the wall of the vagina with the visceral vesical peritoneum using a running suture, space is closed down.

c. Full closure of the vaginal cuff

The vaginal cuff can be fully closed by sutures with separate suture points. The closure of the vaginal cuff is done with Vicryl 0 and with

#### **Figure 26.**

*Superficial incision of the lateral aspect of the vagina allows the section of the lower connective vascular pedicle to anchor the vaginal wall to uterosacral ligaments making prophylaxis of vaginal vault prolapse. (yellow arrows – Vaginal wall).*

> suture points in a figure of eight that starts at the center of the section and goes out towards each lateral vaginal commissure (**Figure 25**).

d. Prophylactic apical support

The technique described above refers to the unprolapsed uterus where post-hysterectomy vault prolapse occurs very rarely. For this reason, we do not include in the operative procedure an appropriate step addressed for it. The prevention of vaginal vault prolapse is necessary in case of an association of early forms of uterovaginal prolapse. By the technique described by us, the means of suspension of the upper vagina are preserved as long as the circular (**Figure 26**).

The incision in the cervix is of interest only to the vaginal mucosa. For cases where early apical prolapse is present, McCall culdoplasty is an excellent way to resuspend the upper vagina at the first level (DeLancey).

### **10. Conclusions at the end of the operation**

The presented technique of vaginal hysterectomy resulted from combining several variants tried by authors over the years of more than 4500 vaginal hysterectomies. From each variant of the technique, we chose the most efficient and safe method to achieve each operator time as a confirmation of the validity of the succession of operating times proposed by us, the International Society of Endoscopic Surgery (ISGE) published in 2020 a set of recommendations on the technique of vaginal hysterectomy on the unprolapsed uterus.

Six recommendations were established similar to the standard technique proposed by us:


.., *Vaginal hysterectomy for a non-prolapsed uterus should be the preferred route for removing the uterus when hysterectomy is indicated. The ISGE provides evidence-based practical guidelines on how vaginal hysterectomy for non-prolapsed uterus should be undertaken. All efforts should be directed towards teaching the surgical technique of vaginal hysterectomy during residency.*

There is no standard technique for vaginal hysterectomies. Every case poses different strategical problems. It is not necessary to follow every step of the operation in order as described elsewhere in literature or even in this chapter. The surgeon can treat every operation as a distinct one with a specific strategy.

The disconnection of the leading vascular pedicles causes fewer problems than delivering the uterus from the upper connective vascular pedicle. For large uteri, this operative step is time-consuming and challenging to work for the surgeon.

If during the first steps of the operation, incidental bleeding begins that cannot be managed, the surgeon should not hesitate to convert the vaginal operation to an open abdominal or laparoscopic one. Every minute lost means 250 ml of blood lost from each uterine artery.

In many cases, there is significant blood loss until the uterus is released, and after that, the drama begins. In some cases, the abrupt withdrawal of the uterus from the pelvis causes the sliding of ligatures from a uterine artery. If the bleeding seems to be to one side, you have to look for it on the opposite side.

The most important thing is to finish this partially blind operation without any doubt regarding the safety of the patient.
