Hysterectomy
Key points
- A hysterectomy is a surgical removal of the uterus, resulting in the inability to become pregnant (sterility).
- Hysterectomy is an operation that is commonly performed.
- Most patients recover completely from hysterectomy.
- The average hospital stay depends on the type of hysterectomy performed, but is usually from 2 to 3 days.
Alternative names
Vaginal hysterectomy; Abdominal hysterectomy; Removal of the uterus
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.
Description
Hysterectomy is an operation that is commonly performed. However, there are often non-surgical approaches to treat certain causes of pelvic pain or bleeding. 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)
RISKS
Risks for any anesthesia are:
- Reactions to medications
- Problems breathing
Risks for any surgery are:
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.