What is a hysterectomy?
/A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to completely remove a woman's uterus. There are a number of reasons as to why a woman would have a hysterectomy. Reasons a woman might have a hysterectomy may include uterine prolapse, cancer of the ovaries, cervix, or uterus, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or adenomyosis. A hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women in the United States. It is estimated that in the United States every year, there are about 500,000 women who have a hysterectomy.
What are the different types of hysterectomies?
· Total hysterectomy: This is the most common type of hysterectomy. This type of procedure removes the entire uterus, including the cervix. The ovaries and the fallopian tubes may or may not be removed.
· Partial hysterectomy (also called subtotal or supracervical): This type of hysterectomy removes just the upper part of the uterus. The cervix is not removed. The ovaries may or may not be removed.
· A radical hysterectomy: A radical hysterectomy removes the entire uterus, cervix, the tissue on both sides of the cervix, and the upper part of the vagina. This type of procedure is most often used to treat certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer. The fallopian tubes and the ovaries may or may not be removed.
How is a hysterectomy performed? There are a number of different ways to perform a hysterectomy. How the procedure is performed depends on the patient’s overall health and the reason for them having the surgery. The most common ways to perform a hysterectomy include an abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, or robotic surgery.
- Abdominal hysterectomy. This type of procedure involves making a cut in your lower abdomen.
- Vaginal hysterectomy. This type of procedure involves making a small cut in the vagina.
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy. This type of procedure involves using a laparoscope, which is an instrument with a thin, lighted tube and a small camera that allows your doctor to see your pelvic organs. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is done by making very small cuts in order to insert the laparoscope and surgical tools. During a laparoscopic hysterectomy the uterus is removed through the small cuts made in either your abdomen or your vagina.
- Robotic surgery. This type of procedure involves using a robotic arm to perform the surgery through small cuts in your lower abdomen, similar to a laparoscopic hysterectomy.