Hysterectomy

What is Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a surgical method in which the uterus of a woman is removed. Sometimes, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed.

The uterus also referred to as the womb, is where a baby grows inside their mother.

Once a woman has had a hysterectomy, she will no longer menstruate and cannot become pregnant.

Indications

Your doctor may suggest you undergo a hysterectomy if you have the following conditions:

Uterine fibroids
Endometriosis not cured by medicine or surgery
Uterine prolapse - when the uterus descends into the vagina
Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries
Vaginal bleeding that continues despite treatment
Chronic pelvic pain

Types of Hysterectomy

Types of Hysterectomies include Partial, Total or Radical Hysterectomy.

Partial or supracervical hysterectomy is where the upper part of the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left in place.
A total hysterectomy involves removal of both the uterus and cervix. Radical hysterectomy is usually done in cases of cancer and involves removal of the uterus, tissue on the sides of the uterus, the upper part of the vagina, and the cervix.
Salpingo-oophorectomy may be performed along with hysterectomy in cases of cancer or infection. It is a procedure in which the fallopian tube and ovary on one side of the uterus are removed.
Bilateral oophorectomy is where the fallopian tubes and ovaries on both sides of the uterus are removed. This results in menopause right away from the sudden drop in hormone levels.

Procedure

There are various ways to perform a hysterectomy.

Abdominal hysterectomy is where the incision is made through the skin and tissue in the lower abdomen to reach the uterus.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy uses a laparoscope to guide the surgery. A laparoscope is a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the abdomen through a tiny incision in or around the umbilicus (belly button) which allows the surgeon to view the internal pelvic organs on a monitor.
Total laparoscopic hysterectomy is a method where the uterus is separated from inside the body and then removed in small pieces either through tiny incisions or through the vagina.
Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy uses a laparoscope to guide the surgery and the uterus is removed through the vagina.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy uses a robot attached to instruments to help perform the surgery through tiny incisions with a laparoscope.
Vaginal hysterectomy is a method where the uterus is removed through the vagina. As the incision is made inside the vagina, healing time may be less than with abdominal surgery

Post-operative Care

Your recovery depends on the type of surgery performed and the progress of your healing. You will be prescribed pain medications to keep you comfortable and antibiotics to prevent infection.

You will be instructed to get adequate rest and avoid heavy lifting after your surgery. You can continue normal activities once the pain, bleeding, and abdominal pressure has resolved. Sexual activity can be resumed after about six weeks following surgery. Exercises should be avoided until 3 weeks after surgery.

Recovery and return to activities of daily living are earlier in cases of women who have undergone vaginal hysterectomy when compared to women who have undergone an abdominal hysterectomy. Generally, it takes around 4-6 weeks for complete healing from an abdominal hysterectomy and about 3-4 weeks of recovery from a vaginal hysterectomy.

Complications

Most women recover without any complications from the surgery. However, Risks and Complications associated with Hysterectomy surgery can include the following:

Infection
Bleeding
Blood clots
Urinary incontinence: loss of bladder control
vaginal prolapse: a condition in which the vagina protrudes from the vaginal opening.
Chronic pain
Bladder or ureter injury
Painful intercourse
Early menopause if ovaries were removed

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following signs:

Heavy vaginal bleeding
Pain, redness, swelling, or discharge around the incisions
Fever over 101° F
Nausea and vomiting
Shortness of breath