[Vaginal hysterectomy of the non-prolapsed uterus. Rehabilitating a technic]

The main steps to be carried out in the operation of vaginal hysterectomy when the uterus is not prolapsed are overall the same as when vaginal hysterectomy is carried out for prolapse: separation of the bladder from the uterus, opening of the Pouch of Douglas, dividing the utero-sacral ligaments, opening the vesico-uterine pouch, dividing the cardinal ligaments, delivering the fundus of the uterus, freeing the uterine cornua and reperitonealisation. All the same, for each step there are numerous different details to be carried out. Careful attention to all these modifications make it easier to remove a non mobile uterus or one that is markedly enlarged. When the definite advantages of this technique, which is unfortunately insufficiently practised in France, are understood it is the operation of choice rather than the abdominal approach whenever a vaginal approach is possible, which it is in the large majority of cases.