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What is a Hysterectomy?
By ChrissyG | March 26, 2009
With Sherman Health ’s upcoming live Twitter hysterectomy , here are some important facts about hysterectomies:
- A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, performed by a gynecologist.
- It is the second most common female surgical procedure. Each year, more than 600,000 are done. One in three women in the United States has had a hysterectomy by age 60.
- There are three types of hysterectomies: a subtotal/partial hysterectomy, a total/complete hysterectomy and a radical hysterectomy.
- Hysterectomies are done through a cut in the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy) or the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy). Sometimes an instrument called a laparoscope is used to help see inside the abdomen during vaginal hysterectomy. The type of surgery that is done depends on the reason for the surgery. Abdominal hysterectomies are more common and usually require a longer recovery time (WomensHealth.gov).
- Hysterectomies are being performed more often by the da Vinci Surgical System . da Vinci Surgery enables gynecologists to perform the most precise, minimally invasive hysterectomy available today with smaller incisions. With the da Vinci Surgical System, recovery time is cut down to days rather than the usual weeks required with traditional surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does it take to recover from a hysterectomy?
You will stay in the hospital for up to four days post-surgery. An abdominal incision usually takes four to eight weeks for recovery. You will gradually be able to increase your activities. A vaginal or laporascopic incision takes only one to two weeks to heal or for the patient to be back on their feet. For both, by the sixth week, you should be able to take tub baths and resume sexual activities.
Why do women have hysterectomies?
A hysterectomy is used to treat:
- Fibroids. More hysterectomies are done because of fibroids than any other problem of the uterus. For many women with fibroids, symptoms are minimal and require no treatment. Also, the fibroids often shrink after menopause. But fibroids can cause heavy bleeding or pain in some women.
- Endometriosis. This happens when the tissue lining the inside of your uterus grows outside the uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic or abdominal organs. When medication and surgery do not cure endometriosis, a hysterectomy often is performed.
- Uterine prolapse. This is when the uterus moves from its usual place down into the vagina. This can lead to urinary problems, pelvic pressure or difficulty with bowel movements.
- Cancer. If you have cancer of the uterus, cervix or ovary a hysterectomy may be part of the treatment your doctor recommends.
- Persistent vaginal bleeding. If your periods are heavy, not regular, or last for many days each cycle and nonsurgical methods have not helped to control bleeding, a hysterectomy may bring relief.
- Chronic pelvic pain. Surgery is a last resort for women who have chronic pelvic pain that clearly comes from the uterus. However, many forms of pelvic pain aren’t cured by a hysterectomy, and so this approach can be a permanent mistake.
What types of risks are there?
A hysterectomy involves some major and minor risks. Most women do not have problems during or after the operation, however some potential risks include:
- Heavy blood loss, that requires blood transfusion
- Bowel injury
- Bladder injury
- Anesthesia problems (such as breathing or heart problems)
- Need to change to abdominal incision during surgery
- Wound pulling open
Join Sherman Health April 2nd on Twitter to watch this surgical procedure live through real-time tweeted updates.
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