One Of The Most Common Surgical Procedures Among Women
Permanently ending the ability to become pregnant, a hysterectomy may be done through an abdominal incision (abdominal hysterectomy), a vaginal incision (vaginal hysterectomy), or through laparoscopic incisions (small incisions on the abdomen -- laparoscopic hysterectomy).
An abdominal hysterectomy is typically the preferred approach if you have a large uterus or if your doctor wants to check other pelvic organs for signs of disease.
During a hysterectomy, the uterus may be completely or partially removed. Sometimes the procedure also includes removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes. A partial (or supracervical) hysterectomy leaves the cervix intact, removing just the upper portion of the uterus.
A total hysterectomy is the removal of the entire cervix and uterus. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the upper part of the vagina in addition to the uterus and the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium).
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A hysterectomy may be performed as treatment if you have one of the following conditions:
*Gynecologic cancer- If you have a gynecologic cancer, of the uterus or cervix, a hysterectomy may be a treatment option. Other options might also include radiation or chemotherapy.
*Fibroids- Fibroids are benign uterine tumors that can cause persistent bleeding, anemia, pelvic pain or bladder pressure for some women- while many other women have minimal symptoms and require no treatment. For women with persistent problems with fibroids, a hysterectomy is the only certain, permanent solution. Depending on your discomfort level and tumor size, nonsurgical treatments of fibroids are a possibility.
*Endometriosis- If medication or conservative surgery doesn't improve endometriosis, a hysterectomy might be the course of treatment. Endometriosis is the condition where the tissue lining the inside of your uterus (endometrium), grows outside the uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic or abdominal organs.
*Pelvolapsic Prolapse- A hysterectomy may be necessary to achieve repair a prolapse. Prolapse occurs if these muscles are weakened and the organ they support; your uterus, vagina, urethra or bladder shifts downward and bulges into or even out of your vaginal canal. Uterine prolapse can lead to urinary incontinence, pelvic pressure or difficulty with bowel movements.
* Persistent vaginal bleeding. If your periods are heavy, irregular or prolonged each cycle, a hysterectomy may bring relief when the bleeding can't be controlled by nonsurgical methods.
* Chronic pelvic pain. Occasionally, surgery is a necessary last resort for women who experience chronic pelvic pain that clearly arises in the uterus. However, hysterectomy provides no relief from many forms of pelvic pain, and an unnecessary hysterectomy creates new problems. Seek careful evaluation before proceeding with such major surgery.
Talk to your physician right away if you are having persistent problems. Ask your doctor about alternatives to this surgery if you intended on bearing children. In the case of cancer, hysterectomy might be the only option.
Disclaimer
The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The content provided is intended strictly for informational purposes to help patient understanding of medical terms and conditions.
