The process of removing the uterus is referred to as a hysterectomy in the medical field. The surgical intervention often also involves the removal of the cervix. Depending on the underlying reason for the surgery, surgeons may also remove some of the surrounding tissues and organs, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What are the major types of hysterectomies women may undergo? What are the disadvantages of certain removal types (for instance, the disadvantages of laparoscopic hysterectomy)? In this blog post, our very own hysterectomy specialists in South Miami, Florida, bring our readers everything they need to know about the procedure.
Removing the Uterus
This is the organ where the fetus develops during pregnancy, and the blood women shed during their period is the uterine lining. After a hysterectomy, women won’t get their periods, nor will they be able to get pregnant.
Types of Hysterectomy Procedures
There are different types of hysterectomy surgeries available. Typically, providers will discuss the options with their patients and opt for the adequate type based on their condition and other preferences. This evaluation will most likely determine whether the patient’s ovaries and fallopian tubes will be removed.
On that note, here are the most common types of hysterectomy procedures:
- Supracervical hysterectomy removes the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.
- A total hysterectomy removes the entire uterus and cervix, leaving the ovaries.
- Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, the vagina’s upper part, lymph nodes, and some surrounding tissue. Usually, this type of hysterectomy is recommended in cases of severe malignant diseases.
- Total hysterectomy & bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy removes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and uterus.
Reasons for Hysterectomy
Providers may recommend hysterectomies for various reasons, such as:
- To treat heavy vaginal bleeding that doesn’t respond to other methods.
- To remove noncancerous uterine fibroids.
- To address pelvic pain related to the uterus that doesn’t go away with the help of other treatment methods.
- To treat severe period pain.
- To treat uterine prolapse that can cause several medical complications.
- To treat uterine or cervical cancer, which also requires removing the uterus.
- To prevent precancerous conditions from becoming malignant.
- To treat problems such as recurrent uterine polyps, hyperplasia, or adenomyosis.
Preparing for the Procedure
Typically, the provider will explain all the details of the procedure to the patient, educating them about the possible side effects and complications. Patients may be asked to provide urine samples and blood tests.
During this appointment, the provider will determine the most beneficial type of hysterectomy that would be the best surgical method to address the medical problem at hand.
Before the procedure, patients will change into hospital gowns, with an IV line placed in their veins to deliver the necessary fluids and medication. Furthermore, they will be hooked up to monitors to track their vital signs.
Patients will either receive general or regional anesthesia before the procedure.
Types of Hysterectomies: Surgical Approaches
When looking at the surgical process itself, surgeons may use several approaches to perform the intervention:
Vaginal Hysterectomy
During this procedure, the uterus is removed through an incision at the vagina’s top part, which isn’t an external incision. This is the most common approach to address nonmalignant issues and uterine prolapse. This type of hysterectomy generally has the fewest complications and the fastest recovery period of around four weeks. Most often, people leave for home the same they’ve had the surgery.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
A thin laparoscope is inserted into the pelvic region through a small incision in the belly button. At the same time, other surgical tools go into the body via small incisions in the area. The uterus is generally removed in smaller pieces through the same incisions or the vagina. Recovery is relatively quick, and there are only a few disadvantages of laparoscopic hysterectomies, but if experts fail to remove the uterus, more follow-up procedures may be necessary.
Abdominal Hysterectomy
The uterus is removed through a larger incision in the abdomen, made either across the top area of the pubic hairline or from the belly button to the pubic bone. This is the most prevalent method when treating cancer or when a disease has affected other organs in the pelvic area. Since this is a more invasive approach, it requires longer recovery and hospital stay.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
During this procedure, the surgeon receives assistance from a robotic machine, where robotic arms and other medical instruments are inserted through small incisions (together with a laparoscope) and controlled via a console by the surgeon. Because it’s a less invasive procedure, recovery time is similar to the case of standard laparoscopic interventions.
Generally, hysterectomies will last around one to three hours, depending on several factors.
Side Effects, Risks, and Complications
Experiencing vaginal drainage is the most common side effect of this procedure, along with irritation around the incision sites.
If the ovaries were also removed, patients might also experience menopausal problems, including:
- Loss of sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
Naturally, providers will discuss treatment options for avoiding or managing these side effects with the patient following surgery. They will also discuss the necessary recovery instructions to ensure the quickest and safest recovery.
The other apparent disadvantage of these procedures is the fact that they will require a longer recovery time, introducing permanent changes to the patient’s life. Some types of hysterectomies may trigger menopause or menopausal symptoms, and removing the uterus means that patients won’t be able to become pregnant.
Lastly, as with every type of surgery, there’s a small risk of complications occurring, such as:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clot formation
- Urinary tract injuries
- Problems with the internal stitches
- Anesthesia-related issues
- Bowel blockage
Still, a hysterectomy can help patients live more enjoyable life. This is especially true when patients experience severe and irregular bleeding during their period or have constant pelvic pain. In more severe cases, like uterine cancer, the intervention may even be life-saving.
Expertise and Compassion
Hysterectomy is a major surgery with permanent physical and mental effects on patients. Patients should receive proper education regarding the surgery and the bodily changes that will most certainly take place after the procedure. Also, hysterectomies often trigger a sense of loss, especially if the patients plan on having children. Because of this, it’s essential that patients are given all the vital pieces of information to prepare for the surgery, along with emotional support after the surgery, to help them mitigate said sense of loss.
We understand that this potentially life-saving intervention can trigger many emotions in patients. Because of that, we take a considerate and professional approach to every hysterectomy case, ensuring that our patients receive both the information and emotional support to get through these challenging times.
To learn more about the procedure, schedule an appointment with us today.