The vaginal cuff is the upper portion of the vagina that opens up into the peritoneum and is sutured shut after the removal of the cervix and uterus during a hysterectomy.
[1][2] The vaginal cuff is created by suturing together the edges of the surgical site where the cervix was attached to the vagina.
[4][5] A further complication that can accompany the dehiscence of the vaginal cuff is evisceration or the movement of intestines into the vagina.
[6] The vaginal cuff can be stressed by sexual intercourse, chronic constipation, asthma, COPD, and other actions that increase intra-abdominal pressure.
Factors that are thought to affect wound healing are radiation treatments, age, pelvic organ prolapse, the use of corticosteroids, concurrent malignancy.