Posthysterectomy fallopian tube herniation. A report of two cases.

BACKGROUND

Tubal herniation as a complication of hysterectomy is a rare phenomenon, markedly more frequent after vaginal hysterectomy. With the increasing use of the vaginal route, the ratio between tubal herniation after vaginal versus abdominal hysterectomy may exceed 3:1.

CASE

We report two cases of tubal herniation into the vagina, one after vaginal hysterectomy and the other after total abdominal hysterectomy, in two patients, aged 36 and 37 years.

CONCLUSION

A tubal prolapse in the vagina may be considered a hernia and occurs only if a communication exists between the peritoneal cavity and vaginal canal. It can be an early or late prolapse. Symptoms consist almost exclusively of persistent blood loss and/or leukorrhea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain. Whether the abdominal or vaginal approach should be used in surgical correction of prolapsed tubes must be decided in each case according to the patient's individual characteristics. Both histologic pictures described merit careful attention, distinguishing between the terminal tubal segment and the more cranial tract (above the vaginal strangulation).