Uterus is the main child bearing reproductive organ of your female body and it carries the foetus in pregnancy till childbirth. There are two parts of the uterus, the upper part called the body and the lower part extending into vagina called the cervix.
What is hysterectomy surgery ?
Hysterectomy as the name implies refers to surgical removal of a woman’s uterus (womb). Uterus is an essential organ of a woman’s body as it is where the baby grows, when the woman is pregnant. Occasionally the uterus is affected by conditions like uterine fibroids, unusual bleeding and other pathological conditions of the uterus which are discussed later in this article. Hysterectomy is indicated in women who are affected with such pathologies which are not responding to medication and change of lifestyle.
What are the indications for a hysterectomy surgery ?
Hysterectomy is indicated when you are affected with the below mentioned conditions or have certain symptoms which cannot be controlled by medication, exercise and change in lifestyle habits. Surgical Removal of the uterus is indicated if you have large fibroids (these are noncancerous growths in the uterine wall), progressive endometriosis (these are noncancerous growths in the uterine lining), uterine prolapse (a fall or slippage in the position of the uterus) or uterine cancers.
- Fibroids: uterine fibroids are referred to as growths in the wall or the lining of the uterus which are non-cancerous but are associated with deregulation of the menstrual cycle and might be associated with untimely, heavy and painful bleeding.
- Uterine Prolapse: This condition refers to the slippage of the uterine wall down into the vagina and is usually observed in women who are obese, menopausal age or women who have had many vaginal births.
- Endometriosis: A pathological condition where the uterus grows into the ovaries leading to abnormal bleeding and pain between periods.
- Vaginal Bleeding: Unusual vaginal bleeding may be caused by a number of conditions affecting the uterus.
- Adenomyosis: A pathological condition where the uterine wall thickens as the tissue that lines the uterus starts growing within the uterus resulting in severe pain, bleeding and discomfort.
- Cancer: cancer of the uterus, ovary or cervix can lead to serious complications and it is advised to get a hysterectomy done as the side effects of the procedure are lesser as compared to chemotherapy and radiation.
What are the types of hysterectomy surgeries ?
Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure and it is essential for you to meet a specialist/ gynecologic and obstetrician to know if hysterectomy is the best suitable treatment for your problem. Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure which can be categorized on the basis of the type of procedure and the extent of the procedure.
On the basis of the approaches of the surgical procedure, hysterectomy can be classified as;
- A traditional or conventional hysterectomy procedure ( Open hysterectomy surgery )
- A minimally invasive hysterectomy procedure ( Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery )
On the basis of the extent of the hysterectomy procedure it can be classified as following.
- Total hysterectomy surgery: the entire uterus is removed
- Partial hysterectomy surgery: a part of the uterus is removed
- Radical hysterectomy surgery: removal of uterus, cervix and a part of vagina
The decision of getting a hysterectomy surgery is dependent on the patient’s condition, the specialist’s evaluation of the patient’s symptoms and overall health with the support of adjuncts like ultrasonography, CT scan and PAP smear.
What are the differences between open hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy surgeries ?
Open hysterectomy surgery : Traditionally, abdominal hysterectomies are done by open surgery, which requires a wide incision below the navel. This procedure can be quite painful, involve heavy medications, maybe a risk of infection and significant blood loss. A long recovery phase (often upto 6 weeks) is necessary for healing. To add to that, you may have a scar left by the incision.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery : Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery is done via multiple small incisions instead of an one wide incision. This surgery requires only multiple small incisions on the abdomen (each about half inch long), through which a laparoscope is inserted. This allows surgeon to see and examine the abdominal organs. Other surgical instruments will be inserted through the other incisions. The uterus is then either removed via the incisions or through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy). The benefits of minimally invasive hysterectomy surgery or laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery include the following.
- Significantly lesser pain than closed hysterectomy
- Lesser blood loss and need for blood transfusion
- Lesser risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery time and return to normal activities sooner than open surgery
- Smaller incisions for minimal scarring
- Better healing outcomes and patient satisfaction, in some cases.
The risks of laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery areas follows.
- Accidental damage either to the urinary bladder or the ureters
- Excessive bleeding during surgery
- Deep Vein Thrombosis- This is a condition wherein blood clots form in legs. There is preventive treatment given, in order to avoid this.
- Risk of Infections
How long do I have to stay in hospital after the hysterectomy surgery ?
The hospital stay depends on if open or laparoscopic surgery was done. In case of laparoscopic surgery, you can go home most likely the next day when the surgery is done via the vagina, with the help of a laparoscope. However, when a larger open surgical cut (incision) in the abdomen is made, you may need to be in the hospital for around 1 to 3 days. If the hysterectomy is of the total type, involving the ovaries and uterus and the cervix, you will have to stay longer or if it is done because of cancer.
Does the procedure require administration of anesthesia?
Yes, the hysterectomy procedure is a major surgical procedure and requires skilled anesthetists to administer general anesthesia. A pre-operative evaluation is necessary to evaluate the patient’s overall condition.
What happens during a hysterectomy surgery ?
A conventional hysterectomy procedure is also called as abdominal hysterectomy where an incision is made through the abdomen to expose the uterus. The incision is usually 5-7 inches in length and can be either horizontal or vertical direction. Once the uterus is exposed it is removed via the incision. The traditional procedure takes about 2-3 hours and the patient is required to stay in the hospital for at least 3 days after the procedure to monitor the post-operative healing of the surgical wound and the overall health.
In a minimally invasive procedure of hysterectomy various surgical approaches can be used depending upon the patient’s condition and doctor’s evaluation. The surgical approaches can be a minimally invasive vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, robot assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The advantage of a minimally invasive procedure is that the size of the wound is reduced, the length of the procedure is reduced and the recovery is faster. Not every patient is an ideal candidate for a minimally invasive procedure; hence it is essential to consult with a specialist before making the decision of getting a minimally invasive hysterectomy done.
Are ovaries and fallopian tubes also removed during hysterectomy surgery ?
The surgeon might do a radical resection of ovaries and fallopian tubes along with removal of uterus if a cancer might be suspected in any of the two sites.
What are the risks and complications of a hysterectomy surgery ?
Since hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure complication like pain, bleeding and infection can occur at the site of the surgery. Anesthesia related complications like dizziness, nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort might also be observed in some patients. Hysterectomy is a rather a safe procedure with very few complications but occasionally might be associated with pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding. It is advised to consult your specialist if you encounter any of the complications after the procedure.
What to expect from a hysterectomy surgery ?
Hysterectomy or removal of uterus along with other organs like the ovaries and fallopian tubes may help the patient in recovering from various gynecological problems. After a hysterectomy, you will not have any periods and you cannot become pregnant. Change of lifestyle to a healthier one and regular exercising help in faster recovery and improved quality of life.
What care do I have to take of myself after the hysterectomy surgery ?
A lot of post-operative care has to be taken for two weeks after surgery. Avoid heavy physical activities for atleast six weeks. Smoking is best stopped as it interferes with healing. Your treatment plan after surgery will be decided by your doctor upon consultation with you. If you decide to go ahead with hormone replacement therapy, it is best to do so in consultation with your medical team. It is essential to get the right amount of rest to recover as hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure. Routine follow ups with your specialist are essential for the evaluation of your condition. The recovery period of the conventional hysterectomy may be a little longer as the patient will be advised to abstain from any heavy work or any sexual activity until fully recovered to prevent any serious complications.
What is the cost hysterectomy surgery ?
The cost of hysterectomy surgery depends on various factors like the type and location of the hospital, type of hospital room category, your overall health condition, number of days of stay in hospital etc. It is better to avail cost estimates from two to three different hospitals, understand all the inclusions and exclusions thoroughly and compare the cost before making the decision. Many hospitals have hysterectomy surgery packages with inclusions and exclusions clearly mentioned.
How to find gynecologists for hysterectomy surgery ?
Now you can find gynecologists for hysterectomy surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple gynecologists, get approximate cost of hysterectomy surgery from various hospitals, compare things and then choose a gynecologist for hysterectomy surgery.
Find and choose a gynecologist for hysterectomy surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
