Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH)
The most commonly performed hysterectomy in which the surgeon removes the uterus, including the cervix, through a five-inch abdominal incision leaving a large, visible scar on your abdomen.

Watch an animation of a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH):
Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player

Vaginal Hysterectomy (VH)
Through an incision at the top of the vagina, the uterus, including the cervix, is separated from the surrounding tissues and then removed through the vagina. A vaginal hysterectomy takes one to two hours and requires a hospital stay of one to three days; normal activity can usually resume in four weeks.

Watch an animation of a vaginal hysterectomy (VH):
Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player

Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
The uterus and cervix are removed through an incision at the top of the vagina, however, the uterus is detached and removed through the vagina under view of the laparoscope using surgical tools inserted through the two other small incisions. Hospital stays and recovery times are similar to those for a vaginal hysterectomy.

Watch an animation of a vaginal hysterectomy (VH):
Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player

Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH)
Using only laparoscopic tools, the surgeon carefully separates the uterus from the cervix and then removes the uterus through one of the small abdominal incisions. Because the cervix is left in place, you must continue annual pap smears to screen for cervical cancer. Hospital stays and recovery times are similar compared to the other types of MIP for hysterectomy.

Watch an animation of a vaginal hysterectomy (VH):
Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player