Hysterectomy Surgery

Known as the most commonly performed surgery among women, hysterectomy surgery is the removal of the uterus in order to treat diseases and conditions that can no longer be treated using more conventional means such as medication, therapies, or other types of surgeries. Depending on the medical condition and its severity, other parts of the reproductive system may also be removed such as the cervix, vagina, ovaries, or the fallopian tubes.

Some of the general effects of hysterectomy surgery include the inability to conceive, and the beginning of menopause if the woman isn’t in the menopause stage yet.

When to Undergo Hysterectomy Surgery

Hysterectomy may become necessary if other medical treatments and procedures fail to cure the medical condition, or if the condition is deteriorating the patient’s quality of life. The following are some of these conditions:

• Hemorrhage
• Uterine prolapse
• Chronic pain
• Chronic bleeding
• Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids

Types of Hysterectomy Surgery

There are different types of hysterectomy surgery, and these are based on the reproductive parts that are removed. There are also different techniques for performing the surgery.

The following are the types of hysterectomy surgery:

Subtotal or partial hysterectomy. In this type of hysterectomy, the ovaries and cervix are kept, and only a part of the uterus is removed.

Total hysterectomy. This hysterectomy surgery is when both the cervix and the uterus are removed. The ovaries can either remain or be removed as well.

Radical hysterectomy. This type of hysterectomy is performed when the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and even the vagina need to be removed.

On the other hand, the techniques for performing a hysterectomy surgery are the following:

Abdominal hysterectomy. In this hysterectomy surgery, an incision is made on the abdomen. The incision can either be horizontal across the bikini line or vertical from the pubic bone to the belly button.

Vaginal hysterectomy. This technique is when the uterus is removed by incising the vagina.

Laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy. This technique is used for delicate cases where the surgeon would need to look inside the woman’s abdomen with a camera during the surgery. In this technique, a laparoscope is used with a vaginal hysterectomy.

Recovery from Hysterectomy Surgery

Recovery from hysterectomy surgery usually takes some time, with one to four days of hospital stay.

Recovery from a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy takes 1 to 2 weeks, while recovery from abdominal hysterectomy takes around 4 to 8 weeks.

A woman who underwent hysterectomy can resume sexual activity and take tub baths after 6 weeks.