- Cervicectomy
- Surgical removal of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. Cervicectomy is also called trachelectomy. Cervicectomy is done in younger women with early cancer of the cervix (with a tumor no larger than 2-3 centimeters). In this surgery, the cervix and the upper part of the vagina are removed but the rest of the uterus is left in place. The lymph nodes in the pelvis are also removed, usually by keyhole laparoscopic surgery, to see if the cancer has spread. After cervicectomy it is sometimes possible for the woman to have children. A stitch is made at the bottom of the uterus like a drawstring and this takes the place of the cervix during pregnancy. There is a higher chance of miscarriage for women who have this procedure, and the baby needs to be delivered by caesarian section.
* * *
* * *
cer·vi·cec·to·my .sər-və-'sek-tə-mē n, pl -mies surgical excision of the uterine cervix called also trachelectomy* * *
cer·vi·cec·to·my (sur″vĭ-sekґtə-me) excision of the cervix uteri; called also trachelectomy.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
