Medical Health Encyclopedia

Once a decision for a hysterectomy has been made, the patient should discuss with her physician what will be removed. The common choices are:

• Total Hysterectomy (Removal of uterus and cervix). Removing only the uterus with hysterectomy, has the same risk for recurrence as conservative surgery.
• Supracervical Hysterectomy (Removal of uterus and preservation of the cervix). Procedure is performed in about 20% to 25% of cases.
• Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (Removal of the ovaries). It can be used with either total or supracervical hysterectomy. This is the only potential cure for endometriosis. If endometriosis has developed outside the uterus than even this procedure is not curative.

Hysterectomy is surgical removal of the utereus, resulting in inability to become pregnant. This surgery may be done for a variety of reasons including, but not restricted to, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids and cancer. A hysterectomy may be done through an abdominal or a vaginal incision.

Total Hysterectomy. In a total hysterectomy the uterus and cervix are removed; this eliminates the risk of uterine and cervical cancer. (Given technical advances and growing surgical experience, a total hysterectomy may eventually be unnecessary except in special circumstances, such as when cancer is present.)

Supracervical Hysterectomy. In a supracervical hysterectomy the uterine body is removed and the cervix is retained. Retaining the cervix helps support the pelvic floor and may help maintain full sexual sensation, but the risk for cervical cancer remains.

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Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the fallopian tubes plus ovaries. It may be performed with either total or supracervical hysterectomy. In deciding to remove the ovaries, a woman must be aware of various consequences, both positive and negative.