Hysterectomy refers to the surgical removal of the uterus and might involve removal of other reproductive organs in the process. The procedure is normally carried out in women and it portends loss of the ability to bear children as well as that of having menstrual cycles. This procedure is the second commonest in the USA.
There are many causes of hysterectomy ranging from personal issues to medical problems. The procedure is the usual treatment for many diseases which may include: uterine, ovarian or cervical cancer that affects women. It may also be carried out in order to relieve endometriosis and fibroid tumors which cause bleeding and other complications in women’s reproductive health.
In cases of prolapsed vagina, a condition in which a woman’s vagina protrudes through the vagina, hysterectomy is performed. The procedure is also used to treat the pelvic inflammatory disease and endometrial hyperplasia which is a potentially precancerous condition. However, the procedure is also used by some women for personal reasons as a permanent sterilization procedure to prevent pregnancy.
There are different types of this procedure depending on the treatment and reason behind the surgery. Total hysterectomy is the most common procedure performed to counter uterine and cervical cancer. In this procedure, both the uterus and the cervix are removed. Another type of the hysterectomy procedure which is normally performed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer is the bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and it involves the total removal of both the fallopian tubes and ovaries together with the uterus.
For treatment of fibroids, abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain, a subtotal or partial hysterectomy is carried out and this involves the removal of the uterus only. There is also the radical hysterectomy which takes the longest to heal. It involves removal of majority of the reproductive organs including the: uterus, cervix, ovaries, oviducts, fallopian tubes, top part of the vagina, lymph nodes and lymph channels. This procedure is undertaken when the cervical or endometrial cancer spreads to the cervix.
The procedure can be performed either via the abdomen or the vagina depending on the type of hysterectomy prescribed by the doctor. In abdominal hysterectomy, an incision similar to that in a caesarian section is made in the abdomen through which the surgeon removes the uterus and other reproductive organs where necessary. Although this kind of hysterectomy is the more commonly preferred of the two and is more popular in the USA than others as it gives the surgeon a good view of all the reproductive organs and more room to work; it has some disadvantages. The abdominal procedure leaves one with a scar and its recovery period is more uncomfortable besides taking longer.
The vaginal hysterectomy on the other hand is less painful and heals faster but can only be performed when the procedure involves removal of the uterus alone. Here, the incision is made near the top of the vagina making it impossible for the surgeon to view all the internal reproductive organs or even use a laparoscope in the procedure.
