Hysterectomy

This article tells of the surgical process called hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. It could be accompanied with or without removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries depending on the disease. Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that can be performed in several ways with the aid of medical microscope. It can be performed vaginally, laparoscopically, or abdominally. It can also be done by a combination of laparoscopically and vaginally. This process is called laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The way hysterectomy can be performed depends on the reason for the surgery, whether the condition is cancerous or non cancerous, depending on the size of the uterus, and also depending on the experience of the surgeon.

The indications for the surgical removal of the uterus or the hysterectomy are categorized as benign disease, cancer, disease of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, and miscellaneous. Benign disease indications include symptoms like abnormal uterine bleeding, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, vaginal relaxation or uterine prolapse, and certain pregnancy related problems like postpartum hemorrhage, uterine rupture, uterine inversion, or cervical pregnancy. Cases like cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes may also require a hysterectomy procedure to the patient. Other indications for the procedure include cases like extensive pelvic endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, and surgical sterilizations. Hysterectomy may be recommended in cases like endometrial cancer, which is cancer that starts in the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus. This can be clearly seen under a medical microscope. It can be likewise performed in cancer of the cervix or severe cervical dysplasia. The latter is a precancerous condition of the cervix. It can also be done in cancer of the ovary. It is also done in some cases of persistent vaginal bleeding. If the periods are persistently heavy, not regular, or lasts for many days and medication do not help to control the bleeding, a hysterectomy may bring relief to the condition. Hysterectomy is also done in some cases of moderate to severe prolapsed of the uterus. It is when the uterus moves from its usual place down into the vagina. This condition can lead to urinary problems, pelvic pressure, or difficulty with bowel movements. It can also be done in complications during childbirth like uncontrollable bleeding)

The surgical procedure of hysterectomy can be done in several ways. The technique on how the process can be performed in hysterectomy depends on whether it will be done vaginally, abdominally, or laparoscopically. The basic principles in the said surgical procedure involve processes like identification, ligation and cutting of the round ligaments, blood supply, cardinal, and uterosacral ligaments. The infundibulopelvic ligaments containing the ovarian blood vessels are tied off and cut in the process when the ovaries and fallopian tubes are to be removed.

In cases of laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, the hysterectomy procedure is performed through 3 to 4 small incisions. Looking on a video monitor and camera attached to a telescope called a laparoscope can do this. The article explains that the advantage of this approach compared to abdominal hysterectomy is that patient has smaller incision on her abdomen. This leads to less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay and faster recover and return to work. Read the entire article