ABSTRACT
Radical abdominal hysterectomy is designed to remove the uterus, cervix, upper third of the vagina, either part or the whole of the parametrium, and the uterosacral and vesicouterine ligaments. The common iliac, internal iliac, external iliac, obturator, hypogastric, and presacral lymph nodes are also removed, as may be the paraaortic nodes. This surgery is used for the management of stage IA2 and IB1 and IB2 tumors of the uterine cervix. It may be used by some surgeons for the management of stage IIA cervical tumors and occasionally in the management of vaginal cancer. Prior to surgery, the patient’s bowel should be prepared using standard protocol. Consent for the specific procedure, including oophorectomy if planned, should be obtained prior to surgery.
