What is involved in a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy involves removing the uterus, thereby ending your menstrual cycle and fertility. Hysterectomy surgeries vary, according to the reason why you’re having one. The types of hysterectomy include:
- Supracervical, which involves the removal of the upper part of the uterus, but keeps the cervix intact
- Total hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and cervix
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which involves removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes
- Radical hysterectomy, which involves removal of the uterus, cervix, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, the upper portion of the vagina, and the lymph nodes
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you are likely a candidate for a radical hysterectomy.
Why would a woman need a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is usually recommended once less invasive treatments, such as medications and lifestyle changes, fail to resolve certain pelvic symptoms. Issues that may require you to undergo a hysterectomy include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Severe endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine prolapse
- Cervical or uterine cancer
- Severe pelvic pain
Always explore other treatment options with Dr. Powell and Dr. Lee before considering a hysterectomy.
How is a hysterectomy performed?
The doctors at Comprehensive Women’s Health perform minimally invasive hysterectomies whenever possible, including using laparoscopy and Da Vinci® robotic surgery technology.
Dr. Lee and Dr. Powell may remove your uterus through an incision in the abdomen or the vagina. Abdominal hysterectomies require just a few tiny incisions into which a laparoscope, or tube affixed with a small camera is inserted. This gives the doctors a precise view of the surgical site.
The Da Vinci robotic surgery system allows the doctor to then control tiny robotic instruments from a console in the operating room. The doctors are in control of the surgery at all times, but the robotic assistance and specialized instruments allow for greater precision.
For a vaginal hysterectomy, the doctors use a laparoscope as well to view the uterus. It’s inserted through an incision made through the vagina. Instruments are also inserted through this incision to perform the procedure.
To learn about the advanced surgical techniques for hysterectomy used at Comprehensive Women’s Health, call one of the offices, or book an appointment online.
