What Is a Trachelectomy?
A trachelectomy is a procedure that removes the cervix. It's a treatment for cervical cancer. It preserves a woman's ability to get pregnant because it does not remove the uterus or ovaries.
A more extensive type of trachelectomy, called a radical trachelectomy, removes:
- The cervix.
- The very upper part of the vagina.
- Lymph nodes.
- The parametria (the tissue that surrounds the uterus).
During a trachelectomy, doctors remove the cervix and other tissue through the vagina or through an incision in the abdomen.
The doctor then closes the bottom of the uterus using a purse-string stitch. This is a type of continuous stitch technique that closes, or cinches, circular wounds. The stitch keeps the uterus closed just as the cervix would.
Because the cervix is closed, women who become pregnant after a trachelectomy cannot have a vaginal birth. They will need to have a caesarean section.
Types of trachelectomy
There are two types of trachelectomies — a simple trachelectomy and a radical trachelectomy.
- Simple trachelectomy — In a simple trachelectomy, only the cervix is removed.
- Radical trachelectomy — In a radical trachelectomy, doctors remove the cervix, the very top of the vagina, lymph nodes, and the parametria, or the tissue that surrounds the uterus. The body of the uterus is not removed, which allows the woman to carry a baby in the future.
Conditions we treat with trachelectomy
A trachelectomy treats cervical cancer. Doctors recommend the surgery for younger women who want to preserve their ability to carry a baby.
Why Would I Need a Trachelectomy?
Your doctor may recommend a trachelectomy if you have cervical cancer and you want to preserve your fertility. The surgery removes the cervix and sometimes the top of the vagina and surrounding tissue, but it keeps the body of the uterus intact.
Is a trachelectomy right for me?
You may be a good candidate for a trachelectomy if you have cervical cancer and:
- Are under 40 years old.
- Have a small tumor, usually no larger than 2 centimeters.
- Your cancer has not spread to the uterus.
- You want to have a baby in the future.
Alternatives to trachelectomy
Care teams often use a trachelectomy to treat cervical cancer because it allows a woman to preserve her fertility. But depending on your age, the size and stage of your cancer, or your general health, a trachelectomy may not be right for you.
In that case, your care team may recommend another type of treatment for your cervical cancer. Alternatives include:
- Chemotherapy — Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. It is used more often in women who aren’t worried about preserving fertility.
- Hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy — A hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix. A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix, upper portion of the vagina, and the tissue around the uterus. It can treat cervical cancer when the cancerous cells reach the inside of the cervix or the uterus. A woman who has had a hysterectomy cannot carry a baby.
- Laser therapy — Laser therapy uses a powerful beam of light to destroy abnormal or cancerous cells. It is mostly used to treat noninvasive cancer, or cancer that has not spread.
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or cone biopsy — In a LEEP, doctors use an electric wire loop to cut out a small piece of tissue. A cone biopsy, or conization, removes a larger piece of cone-shaped tissue using the wire loop or a surgical scalpel. Both procedures mostly treat precancerous lesions or small cancers.
- Lymphadenectomy, or lymph node dissection — Cancer uses the lymph nodes as a path to spread to other tissues and organs. A lymphadenectomy, or lymph node dissection, removes the lymph nodes to prevent that from happening. Doctors also use this to determine if the cancer has already spread.
- Radiation therapy — Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. It is used more often in women who aren’t worried about preserving fertility.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Trachelectomy?
As with any gynecologic surgery, a trachelectomy has side effects. They can develop in the days after surgery or not for months after the surgery.
Side effects include:
- Constipation.
- Cramps.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Infection.
- Lymphedema, or swelling in the legs after lymph nodes are removed.
- Nausea.
- Shortening of the vagina, which can cause painful sex.
- Watery vaginal discharge or bleeding.
Although doctors use the trachelectomy to help preserve a woman’s ability to have a baby, it can result in complications when she does become pregnant.
Women who have had a trachelectomy or a radical trachelectomy are at greater risk of:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Pre-term labor
What Should I Expect From a Trachelectomy?
How to prepare for trachelectomy
Trachelectomy takes place in a hospital under general anesthesia. You may need to fast or stop taking certain medications before the surgery. Your care team will give you specific instructions at a preoperative appointment.
How long does a trachelectomy take?
A trachelectomy usually takes two to four hours. You will also need to spend time in recovery and likely a night or two in the hospital.
During your trachelectomy
Trachelectomy occurs under general anesthesia. You will not be awake during the procedure and will need a special airway device to help you breathe. Side effects, such as nausea and drowsiness, are possible, and you will need to spend time in recovery.
Doctors can use three different ways to perform a trachelectomy.
- Laparoscopic — In a laparoscopic surgery, doctors make several small incisions in the abdomen. They use a tiny camera and small surgical instruments to remove the cervix and surrounding tissue.
- Robotic-assisted — In a robotic-assisted surgery, doctors make several tiny incisions in the abdomen as they would in laparoscopic surgery. However, they use instruments attached to robotic arms that precisely mimic their finger and hand motions.
- Transvaginal — In a transvaginal surgery, doctors do not make an incision. Instead, they remove the cervix and tissue through the vagina.
No matter which trachelectomy method your doctor uses, they will close the wound with a purse-string stitch. This is a continuous surgical stitch that cinches circular wounds. It keeps the uterus closed as the cervix would but has a small opening so that blood can escape during your period.
Recovery after trachelectomy
It usually takes four to six weeks to recover from a trachelectomy. It's important to follow your doctor’s instructions during this time.
During your recovery, you should:
- Avoid having sex.
- Refrain from lifting heavy objects.
- Take your prescribed painkillers and antibiotics.
- Avoid soaking in a tub or swimming pool.
When to call your doctor about trachelectomy complications
Infection and blood clots are possible after a trachelectomy.
You should call your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection or blood clot, including:
- Chest pain.
- Coughing up blood.
- High fever.
- Pain or swelling in the legs.
- Shortness of breath.
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge.
If your lymph nodes were removed, you are at risk of developing lymphedema. This condition occurs when one or both legs swell with lymph fluid.
Call your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
- Decreased mobility
- Itchiness
- Leg swelling
- Leg heaviness
- Skin changes
Why Choose UPMC for Trachelectomy Care?
At UPMC, we provide expert care for cervical cancer. At UPMC, you can expect:
- Compassionate care — At UPMC, you are not alone in your fight against gynecologic cancer. Our team will not only provide you with the latest advancements in cancer care, but they also will guide and support you through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
- Expert surgeons — Our surgeons use minimally invasive surgery for almost all gynecological conditions. This results in faster recovery times and fewer complications for patients. UPMC is also a national leader in robotic surgery.
- Locations close to home — UPMC offers gynecologic cancer services in communities across the region. You don’t have to travel far from home to receive the world-class care you need.
- National recognition — UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is one of just 57 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country — and the only one in western Pennsylvania. The designation isn’t just an accolade; it’s an assurance that your cancer treatment is based on the latest advancements in clinical care and backed by evidence-based research. You will have access to clinical trials, holistic medicine, and fertility preservation.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-08-11.
