Prevention of vaginal shortening following radical hysterectomy

We describe a surgical procedure and post-operative management for the prev ention of vaginal shortening following radical hysterectomy. A total of 452 patients who underwent hysterectomies were examined prospectively dependin g on the operation method. This study showed that our procedure was effecti ve in the prevention of vaginal shortening following radical hysterectomy. Preservation of the ovaries appeared to be important in preventing vaginal shortening, and post-operative hormone replacement therapy was not as effec tive as the preservation of the ovaries. The effect of external irradiation on vaginal shortening was not conspicuous in the case that the ovaries wer e preserved.