Hysterectomy: Understanding purpose, procedure and benefits
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus). It is the second most performed surgery for women of reproductive age. Hysterectomies are carried out to treat conditions that affect the female reproductive system like: > Chronic pelvic pain > Uncontrollable vaginal bleeding > Fibroids > Pelvic inflammatory disease > Prolapsed uterus > Endometrisosis > Adenomyosis > Gynecologic cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries or of the fallopian tubes
A hysterectomy is a major operation and is only considered after alternative, less invasive, treatments have been tried. If you have a hysterectomy, you may have to decide whether to also have the cervix or ovaries removed. The decision will usually be based on one’s personal feelings, medical history and any recommendations doctors may have.
Types of hysterectomy
There are various types of hysterectomy: > Total hysterectomy — the womb and cervix are removed; this is the most commonly performed operation > Subtotal or Supracervical hysterectomy — the main body of the womb is removed, leaving the cervix in place > Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy — the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes and the ovaries are removed >Radical hysterectomy — the womb and surrounding tissues are removed, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, part of the vagina, lymph glands and fatty tissue. There are also different ways to carry out a hysterectomy: > Vaginal hysterectomy — the womb is removed through a cut in the vagina > Abdominal hysterectomy — the womb is removed through a cut in the lower abdomen > Minimal Invasive hysterectomy (keyhole surgery) laparoscopic or robotic — the womb is removed through several small cuts in the abdomen.
Keyhole surgery requires only a few small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscope inserted through one of these incisions allows the surgeon to see the pelvic organs. Other surgical instruments are used to perform the surgery through small five millimetre incisions.
Compared to abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic/robotic surgery results in less pain, has a lower risk of infection and requires shorter hospital stay. Recovery after hysterectomy You may need to stay in the hospital for one to a few days after surgery. If it is a keyhole surgery then one may be discharged within 24 hours. Continue to see your specialist for routine gynecologic exams and general health care. Depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, you still may need pelvic exams and cervical cancer screening.