What does a radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy involve?

This surgery removes the uterus, cervix, part of the upper vagina, and surrounding tissues (parametria), along with pelvic lymph nodes. It is performed under general anesthesia, typically via an abdominal or laparoscopic approach. The lymph node dissection helps determine if cancer has spread, guiding further treatment. The procedure takes about 3–4 hours, and patients stay in the hospital for 7–10 days for monitoring and initial recovery.