European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences

Vol 5 | Issue 4 | August 2023

ISSN 2593-8339

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Vaginal Transection Versus Vaginal Entry Cuff

Closure Technique Following Elective Abdominal
Hysterectomy for Benign Lesions-A
Prospective Comparative Study
Mamta Singh*

ABSTRACT
Background: Total abdominal hysterectomy is most common performed Submitted: July 01, 2023
gynaecological operation. There is no standard recommendation or Published: August 22, 2023
guidelines regarding management of vaginal cuff. This study aimed to
determine the advantages and disadvantages of vaginal transection versus 10.24018/ejmed.2023.5.4.1870
vaginal entry technique following elective abdominal hysterectomies for
benign lesions.
Sparsh Hospital, India.
Methodology: This is a comparative study involving 180 women undergoing
elective hysterectomy in Sparsh hospital, from 10 Jan 2015 to 10 Jan *Corresponding Author:
2020. Patient was randomized to either transactional vaginal or vagina e-mail: mamtasinghdr@gmail.com
entry technique of cuff closure. In this we compare Operating time, length
of hospital stays, estimated blood loss, post operative discharge. Vaginal
length, vaginal cuff infection and granulation after 6 weeks follow up time.
A prospective study on all hysterectomies performed by the single senior
surgeon at Sparsh hospital in order to eliminate possible differences in
surgical techniques and abilities.
Result: We found in this study that operating time, blood loss, post operative
discharge from vault is less in transection technique of vaginal cuff closure in
comparison to vaginal entry technique. Febrile complain is more in vaginal
entry cuff group patients. Hospital stay is long in vaginal entry technique
patients. There is no difference in post operative vaginal length in both the
techniques. Transection technique is easy to perform.
Conclusion: Transection cuff closure technique is better than vaginal entry
technique.

Keywords: Abdominal Hysterectomy, transection cuff closure, vaginal

entry cuff closure.

I. Introduction description in the literature about the closure of the vaginal

Abdominal hysterectomy is the most common operation vault from abdominal approach, which essentially is a
performed by gynaecologist. Commonly used techniques front to back closure [4]. Assessment of outcome needs to
are, intra facial, extra facial and supracervical hysterec- consider both immediate, medium term and later effects.
tomy. There is an increasing number of approaches to the Early effects are haemorrhage, trauma to ureters, and
surgical removal of the uterus, each has clinical advantages pain, medium term effect include bowel, urinary or sexual
and disadvantages. However, hysterectomy is an operation dysfunction, later effects are above all, genital prolapse.
around which there has been considerable controversy [1], Classical method of total abdominal hysterectomy as
[2]. There is no standard recommendation and guide lines described by Richardson allows retroperitoneal drainage
regarding the closure of the vaginal vault [3]. Two surgical to occur through an open vaginal cuff. There have been
techniques have been described for vault closure during many changes and modifications in the procedure over the
abdominal hysterectomy. Starting in 1926, there was a years. However today most of the surgeons performing

Copyright: © 2023 Singh. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original source is cited.

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Singh Vaginal Transection Versus Vaginal Entry Cuff Closure Technique Following Elective Abdominal Hysterectomy

abdominal hysterectomy use the vaginal entry cuff closure With this closed cuff technique vagina is never exposed
technique. to peritoneal cavity, which reduces contamination of peri-
In our study we have used the transection technique of toneal cavity.
vaginal cuff closure, this technique keeps the vagina closed
at all the times, avoids blood loss and spillage of vaginal
contents into the peritoneal cavity [4].

II. Material Method

A prospective comparative study on all the abdominal
hysterectomies performed by senior surgeon at Sparsh
hospital over a period of 5 years, from 10 Jan 2015 to 10
Jan 2020.
This study included the patients who underwent total
abdominal hysterectomy with or without unilateral or
bilateral salpingo-ooperectomy. Patient was selected with
the common criteria of benign gynaecological disorders for
Fig. 1. Application of clamps transection of vagina
total abdominal hysterectomy. Any additional incidental above clamps, and suturing of cuff.
process such as lysis of adhesions were not excluded from
the study because of their equal distribution among the
both the groups.
The patients with suspicion of the malignant process, IV. Vaginal Entry
gestational trophoblastic disease, peripartum hysterec-
After cardinal ligament cut and ligated, an incision is
tomy, and total abdominal hysterectomy for other surgical
made on in the mid line of the upper anterior vaginal wall.
procedures were excluded. Technique of operation was Sometime vaginal entry is made from the lateral side. A
same in all operations except vault closure was different. finger is inserted to palpate the cervical margins. Once this
A series of 180 consecutive total abdominal hysterec- level is known, one blade of Jorgenson scissors is inserted
tomies has been studied, data presented in this study aims into the vagina and positioned just below the cervix. At
to compare the two methods of vaginal cuff closure. The this level, the vagina is then circumferentially cut. Kocher
vaginal cuff was closed in 120 patients by vaginal transec- or Allies clamps are placed along the free cut vaginal edge
tion technique (group A), and by vaginal entry cuff closure as it forms.
technique in another 60 patients (group B).
Vaginal toilet with betadine was done to every patient A. Vaginal Cuff Closure
and vaginal tablet was kept one day prior to hysterectomy A no 1 delayed absorbable suture may be placed to
in all patients. Same prophylactic antibiotic was used for suspend the vaginal apex to the uterosacral ligament pedi-
all patients. cle on either side, this stitch incorporates the anterior
Inj ampicillin, infusion Metrogyle 100 ml and gentam- and posterior vaginal walls with the distal portions of
icin 80 mg at least 8 hrs before the procedure. the uterosacral ligament and helps prevent vaginal cuff
prolapse following surgery.
These sutures are kept long and held by haemostats.
III. Technique of Vaginal Transection Upward and lateral traction elevate the vaginal cuff. The
full thickness of the incised anterior and posterior vaginal
For this surgeon’s hand palpates through the ant and
walls are then reapproximated with the running suture
post vaginal walls to identify the most inferior level of
line or with interlocking sutures or with several figure of
the cervix. Here a sharply curved large Zeppelin clamp
is placed across the anterior and posterior vaginal walls
just below the cervix on one side. This is repeated on the
other side, tips of the both clamps meet in the mid line.
These clamps include the base of the cardinal ligament lat-
erally, the uterosacral ligament posteriorly and vaginal wall
anteriorly and posteriorly. Bladder must be sufficiently
mobilized away from this point to prevent injury.
Vaginal tissue above the level of this clamps is trans-
acted. This procedure frees the uterus from the pelvis.
Care is taken not to not to contaminate the surgical field
by touching the vagina or vaginal portion of cervix or
dribbling vaginal fluid in the pelvis. Transfixing sutures
are placed below the Zeppelin clamps and the clamps are
removed. Inclusion of uterosacral and cardinal ligament in Fig. 2. Vaginal cuff closed with a Heaney suture ligature
this pedicle provide excellent support of the vaginal apex. incorporating the uterosacral ligaments in the closure.

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Vaginal Transection Versus Vaginal Entry Cuff Closure Technique Following Elective Abdominal Hysterectomy Singh

Fig. 5. This picture showing opening of vagina from front.

There was 1.5 times more expanses in group B patients

due to more post operative morbidities and prolonged
Fig. 3. Application of clamps just below the cervix.
hospital stay. The surgical time in vaginal transection cuff
closure technique is markedly less. Estimated blood loss is
eight sutures. Importantly, omitting portions of vaginal also very less in transactional technique. Average length of
epithelium in the closure can lead to significant post oper- hospital stay is also less in group A patients. Bladder injury
ative bleeding. Peritoneum adjacent to the vaginal cuff occur in I patient in group B, manged intra operatively.
should be included in this closure to lessen the risk of Temperature 100 degree or greater on 2 separate reading
post operative bleeding or oozing. Anteriorly the bladder after first 24 hours post operatively.
should be kept clear of the suture line. Once the vaginal cuff Fluid collection in POD is more in vaginal entry groups
is haemostatic the lateral suspending cuff sutures are cut. in USG examination. This may be the cause of discharge
per vaginum and source of infection.
On 6 weeks follow up 26 patient in vaginal transection
V. Results group and 7 patients in vaginal entry group did not follow
A series of 180 consecutive total abdominal hysterec- up, there is a marked difference in in blood stained dis-
tomies has been studied. There is no difference in group charge and white discharge in group A and in group Fever
A and group B in terms of age, type of patient built and present in 15 patients of group B.
parity. Average age of patients in group A, in group B is At 6 weeks follow up 8.3% of group A and 33% of group
47.3 years. Indication for surgery is benign lesions. The two B complain of pain.
group were similar thus were suitable for comparisons. No
patient in any group had any medical disorders.

Fig. 6. Suturing of vagina in vaginal entry cuff closure technique.

TABLE I: Comparison of Vaginal Transection Cuff Closure and

Vaginal Entry Cuff Closure in Terms of Length of Hospital Stay,
Operating Time of Vault Closure, Estimated Blood Loss at Vault
Closure Step and Injury to Adjacent Organs

Transection vaginal cuff Vaginal entry cuff

closure (group A) closure (group B)
Operating time (VC) 3 minutes 12 minutes
Bladder injury 0 1
Estimated blood loss 1 ml to 1.5 ml 15 ml
Fig. 4. Multiple instruments present at cuff closure step in Hospital stay 4 days 7 days
vaginal entry cuff closure technique.

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Singh Vaginal Transection Versus Vaginal Entry Cuff Closure Technique Following Elective Abdominal Hysterectomy

TABLE II: Comparison of Vaginal Transection and Vaginal Entry stay of about 4 days [4]. In their study the, the two groups
Cuff Closure Techniques in Terms of Post Operative were similar in age and to variables related to the surgical
Morbidities in One Week
procedure and thus consider suitable for comparison [4].
Complication Vaginal % Vaginal % Average length of stay in vaginal transection cuff closure is
transection entry cuff 4 days, in vaginal entry group is only 7 days.
closure In vaginal transection cuff closure, vagina is not open
Post operative fever 4 3.3% 18 30% at all, and there is no exposure of peritoneal cavity to
Urinary infection 3 2.5% 3 5% vaginal flora and edges of vagina is also stitched. Edges
Wound infection 5 4.1% 3 5%
of vagina is not left unsupported, so there is no chance to
Reactionary haemorrhage 0 0 0
bleed. In last clamp, includes base of the cardinal ligament
Pelvic hematoma 0 3 3%
laterally, uterosacral posteriorly and vagina wall anteriorly
Vaginal dome bleeding 0 0 0
and posteriorly. In this way we not cut uterosacral and base
Vaginal discharge colour less 3 2.5% 12 20%
Vaginal discharge blood stained 3 2.5% 18 30%
of the cardinal ligament, this provides very good support to
Dehiscence 0 0 vaginal vault. There was always a good traction to vaginal
vault, this provides less risk to bladder and less time taken
to close the vault.
TABLE III: Post Operative Comparison after 6 Weeks In vaginal entry cuff closure, cardinal and uterosacral
Vaginal % Vaginal % ligaments cut and ligated, uterus is removed and edges of
transection entry cuff vagina was held with long allies, edges keep on bleeding
group closure
until they vaginal cuff was closed. Peritoneal cavity is
Pelvic pain 10 8.3% 20 33%
exposed to vaginal flora. There was very little distance
Granulation tissue at vault 0 0
between peritoneal cavity and vaginal canal. There was
Blood-stained discharge 3 2.5% 15 25%
no traction from above, we cannot give much traction to
White discharge 3 2.5% 18 30%
Hematoma 0 0
vaginal wall, so stitching of vault take more time, there
Fever 2 1.6% 8 13%
was more risk to bladder injury, due to close a proximity
Vaginal length average 8.5 cm 8.3 cm of bladder to cut edge of vagina. We had to give more
attention to bladder.
In vaginal entry cuff closure, there is more blood collec-
tion in POD, due to more bleeding, as compared to vaginal
2.5% of group A and 25% of group B complain of blood
transection method. That’s why there is more chances of
stained discharge. No incidence of granuloma formation
infection in post operative period. In other study pelvic
in both the groups.
fluid collection was higher after the closed vaginal vault
The surgeon’s clinical judgement in term of comfortabil-
hysterectomy [7]. This may be the cause of fever and
ity, easiness and adaptability were assessed that surgeon is
increased discharge in post operative period as compared
more comfortable in doing vaginal transection cuff closure
to vaginal transactional cuff closure technique.
technique.
In one week follow up, more patients are complaining
for blood-stained discharge, white discharge and fever in
VI. Discussion vaginal entry cuff closure as compared to vaginal tran-
section group. In vaginal entry cuff closure group, 30%
Hysterectomy is well-known as one of the most fre- patients complaint of blood stained discharge and 20%
quently performed of all major surgical operation and is of complaint of colour less vaginal discharge, in comparison
great economic, medical and social importance [5]. In the to this only 2.5% patient in vaginal transection cuff clo-
India there are no available researches that they compare sure group having complain of colourless discharge per
these 2 surgical techniques. At present there is no standard vaginum.
recommendations or guide lines regarding management 25% patients complaint of blood-stained discharge and
of vaginal cuff following hysterectomy. There are sev- 30% patients complaint of white discharge per vaginum,
eral approaches to closing the vaginal vault in abdominal in vaginal entry cuff closure group at 6 weeks follow up.in
hysterectomy, each using different technique and sutures. comparison to this only 2.5% patients complaint of blood-
Different techniques are used to minimise the development stained discharge and 2.5% patients complaint of white
of vault hematoma and granulation tissues [8]. discharge per vaginum, in vaginal transection cuff closure
We are comparing the 2 techniques of closed vaginal group.
cuff. Closed vaginal cuff method is believed to eliminate Vault hematoma is a common finding in the first week
peritoneal contamination by vaginal flora decreasing the following hysterectomy and has no significant correlation
incidence of vaginal vault infection and peritoneal or with surgical technique or surgical blood loss, although
ascending infection hence decreasing duration of hospital large hematomas are associated with febrile morbidity,
stay [6]. In a study done by Miskry et al., mass closure most hematomas are small and self-resolving [9]. In our
of the vaginal vault ensures haemostasis, decrease vault study 3 patients of vaginal entry group develop vault
hematoma and vaginal cuff infections. In terms of length hematoma and resolve with time. No surgical intervention
of hospital stay, a randomised controlled trial involving was done.
patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy In our study there is marked difference in vaginal bleed-
for benign disease reported an average length of hospital ing at vault closure step and time taken at this step. In

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Vaginal Transection Versus Vaginal Entry Cuff Closure Technique Following Elective Abdominal Hysterectomy Singh

vaginal transection cuff closure average blood loss was 1 [5] Garry R. Health economics of hysterectomy. Best Pract Res Clin
ml to 1.5 ml and average time taken is 3 min. In vaginal Obstet Gynaecol. 2005;19(3):451–65.
[6] AnMate, Olatinwo A. Closure versus non-closure of vaginal vault at
entry cuff closure average blood loss is 15 ml and average total abdominal hysterectomy. Trop J Health Sci. 2001;8.
time taken is 12 minutes. [7] Aharoni A, Kaner E, Levitan Z, Condrea A, Degani S, Ohel G.
Surgeons’ comfortability, easiness and adaptability is Prospective randomized comparison between an open and closed
vaginal cuff in abdominal hysterectomy. Int J Gynaecol Obst. 1998
more in vaginal transection cuff closure method. Oct;63(1):29–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7292(98)00116-7.
In our institute most surgeon prefer vaginal entry cuff PMID: 9849708.
[8] Moustafa M, Elnasharty M. Issues around vaginal vault clo-
closure technique. Comments regarding vaginal transec- sure. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Apr;21(3):203–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/
tion cuff closure technique include “very easy to do” and tog.12573.
require “short time to close the vaginal vault”. [9] Paspulati RM, Dalal TA. Imaging of complications following gyne-
cologic surgery. RadioGraphics. 2010;30(3):625–642. https://doi.org/
10.1148/rg.303095129.

VII. Conclusion
In this study vaginal transection technique showed
advances over vaginal entry techniques in terms of post
operative morbidities, operative time and blood loss. In
this study length of hospital stay is also less in vaginal
transection group. In terms of pain and healing both
techniques showed no difference. Vaginal transection tech-
nique showed benefit in favour of easiness, adaptability
and comfortability. A surgeons’ competence careful and
meticulous surgical techniques and antibiotic prophylaxis
seem to remain the most important factors to prevent
post operative complications such as infection and pelvic
hematoma. Both technique of vaginal vault closure is
acceptable. However, there is no published researches to
negate or favour these findings. Further studies are needed
to validate these findings.

VIII. Limitation and Recommendations

This is a single centre study. Easiness adaptability and
comfortability is studied with only one surgeon. In cases
with elongated cervix and other pathology at cervical
end, vaginal transection vaginal cuff closure is difficult to
perform in these cases this technique would remove too
much of vagina. In such type of cases vaginal entry cuff
closure technique is useful. To validate outcome of this
study multicentre study with different surgeons is required.

Funding
None.
Conflict of Interest
The author declares no conflict of interest.

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