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Hysterectomy
Definition:
A hysterectomy is a surgical removal of the uterus, resulting in the inability to become pregnant (sterility). It may be done through the abdomen or the vagina. Alternative Names:
Vaginal hysterectomy; Abdominal hysterectomy; Laparoscopic hysterectomy; Supracervical hysterectomy; Radical hysterectomy; Removal of the uterus Text Continues Below
Description:
Hysterectomy is an operation that is commonly performed. There are many reasons a woman may need a hysterectomy. However, there are non-surgical approaches to treat many of these conditions. Talk to your doctor about non-surgical treatments to try first, especially if the recommendation for a hysterectomy is for a cause other than cancer. During a hysterectomy, the uterus may be completely or partially removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may also be removed. A partial (or supracervical) hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium), and the upper part of the vagina. 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). Your physician will help you decide which type of hysterectomy is most appropriate for you, depending on your medical history and the reason for your surgery. Indications:
Hysterectomy may be recommended for: - Tumors in the uterus like uterine fibroids or endometrial cancer
- Cancer of the cervix or severe cervical dysplasia (a precancerous condition of the cervix)
- Cancer of the ovary
- Endometriosis, in those cases in which the pain is severe and not responsive to non-surgical treatments
- Severe, long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding that cannot be controlled by medications
- Prolapse of the uterus
- Complications during childbirth (like uncontrollable bleeding)
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