Vaginectomy

What is vaginectomy?

Vaginectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the vagina. Healthcare providers perform this surgery to treat vaginal cancer that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Recovery time varies depending on how much of your vagina your provider needs to remove and whether you need other surgeries, too. Talk to your provider about what you can expect during recovery.

Why do providers perform vaginectomy?

You may need vaginectomy if you have vaginal cancer. Your provider will usually try other treatments first. These may include radiation therapy, surgery or chemotherapy. If those treatments don’t work, your provider may recommend vaginectomy.

Part of the female reproductive system, the vagina is a tube made of muscle. It starts at the vulva (the external genitals) and extends to the cervix (the opening of the uterus). Depending on the location and size of the tumors, the stage of cancer and whether it has spread, your provider may recommend:

• Partial vaginectomy, to remove the upper portion of the vagina.
• Total vaginectomy, to remove the entire vagina.
• Radical vaginectomy, which removes the entire vagina as well as the tissue around it.

How common is vaginectomy?

This procedure is relatively uncommon. Providers can usually treat most vaginal cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. So, vaginectomy isn’t often necessary.

Vaginal cancer is rare. Less than 2% of cancers in the female genital tract are vaginal cancer.

What happens before vaginectomy?

Before surgery, your provider will examine you and ask about your medical history. They may tell you to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, before the procedure. If you smoke or use tobacco products, ask your provider about quitting before surgery. Smoking and tobacco use can slow the healing process.

You’ll need to avoid eating or drinking anything the night before the surgery. Your provider will give you details about the procedure and how to prepare.

What happens during vaginectomy?

Your provider will give you general anesthesia through a vein in your arm. You will be asleep throughout the procedure and won’t feel pain during surgery. Your surgeon may perform this procedure vaginally (through your vaginal opening). They make several small incisions (cuts) to separate the vaginal tube from the tissues surrounding it. Depending on the technique, your provider may close or leave the vaginal opening.

Your provider may do this procedure laparoscopically. This means they use a long, thin instrument that looks like a telescope. Instead of going through your vaginal opening, your provider may make several small incisions in your abdomen. If you need other surgeries, your provider may do that surgery while you’re under general anesthesia. These additional procedures may include a hysterectomy to remove your uterus.

Some women choose to have a vaginoplasty following a vaginectomy. This is surgery to reconstruct a vagina. A vaginoplasty procedure allows women to have vaginal intercourse. If you’re interested in this procedure, talk to your provider. They will discuss your options, including when to get this additional surgery.

What happens after vaginectomy?

You’ll need to stay in the hospital after the procedure, usually for a few days but up to a week. The length of stay depends on the type of vaginectomy you had and whether you had other surgeries as well. While you’re in the hospital, your provider will monitor you and give you medications to relieve pain. These medications also reduce swelling and lower the risk of infection.

When you’re able to go home, your provider will tell you how to care for yourself and how to take care of your incisions. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully. You should limit physical activity for at least a few weeks. You’ll need to avoid lifting or carrying anything heavy. Your provider will tell you how long you should rest.

What are the advantages of vaginectomy?

Vaginectomy is an effective procedure to treat vaginal cancer. This surgery has a 95% survival rate two years following the procedure.

What are the risks or complications of vaginectomy?

As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications. They include:

• Excessive bleeding.
• Infection.
• Problems with defecating (pooping) or leaking stool.
• Vaginal fistula (a hole between the vaginal area and other internal organs, such as the bladder).
• Urinary retention.

What is the recovery time after vaginectomy?

You can expect to have some pain in the first week or so following surgery. Talk to your provider about your pain relief options and what activities to avoid.

Your recovery time depends on your overall health and the type of surgery or surgeries you had. You’ll probably need to avoid physical activity for several weeks. This may include intense exercise, all sexual activity and any heavy lifting.

When should I see my healthcare provider after vaginectomy?

After this procedure, call your provider right away if you have:

• Bleeding or swelling in your abdominal area.
• Fever, redness and swelling near the incision (these are signs of infection).
• Severe abdominal pain.
• Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence.

If you had vaginal reconstruction surgery following vaginectomy, call your provider if you feel pain during sex. Painful sex can be a sign of a fistula or other complications.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Vaginectomy is an effective treatment for vaginal cancer. Before getting this surgery, have an open and honest discussion with your provider about what you can expect. Tell your provider if you want to have vaginal intercourse in the future. If so, you may want to consider vaginal reconstruction surgery. Be sure to follow your provider’s instructions during recovery to avoid complications.