Vaginal evisceration long after vaginal hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: Vaginal evisceration can take place many years after vaginal surgery. CASE: An 87-year-old woman presented with evisceration of small bowel through the vagina, 15 years after she underwent a vaginal hysterectomy. On physical examination, her vital signs were normal. Forty centimeters of small bowel was visible emerging from the vagina, appearing viable and nonedematous. Because of the high surgical risk, the bowel was replaced and the defect in the vaginal wall was repaired transvaginally. CONCLUSION: Vaginal evisceration can be treated by a transvaginal surgical approach. Factors such as the medical condition of the patient and the viability of the herniated viscus should dictate the optimal approach in each case.