Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy in Hyderabad | Types of Hysterectomy | Laparoscopic Hysterectomy | Vaginal Hysterectomy

The surgical procedure to remove uterus is known as hysterectomy. Gynecologists recommend this surgery if a woman has uterine fibroids, uterus abnormality, abnormal bleeding, uterine prolapse and cancer. After the removal of uterus, a woman no longer menstruates and cannot become pregnant.

Based on the goal of the surgery, hysterectomy involves removal of uterus and surrounding tissues and organs – fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The surrounding organs may or may not be removed depending on the case and requirement.

Your gynecologist may recommend hysterectomy for the following reasons:

Failure of other treatment methods to manage heavy menstrual bleeding

If alternative treatment methods failed to offer any relief from severe pelvic pain with abnormal menses.

When non-cancerous growths (uterine fibroids) cause troublesome symptoms

If you have developed uterine prolapse

If you have other conditions -such as adenomyosis, recurrent uterine polyps and hyperplasia.

Precancerous growth related to cervical or uterine cancer – which may lead to uterine cancer or cervical cancer.

Hysterectomy Types

Total hysterectomy – It involves removal of the uterus and cervix, but leaving ovaries.

Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy:  In this type of procedure, a gynecologist removes the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, lymph nodes and some surrounding tissues. It is performed when there is a involvement of cancer.

Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: The procedure involves removal of uterus and cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Women who undergo this procedure will start to encounter menopausal symptoms.

Partial or Supracervical hysterectomy: In this type of procedure, a gynecologist removes the upper part of the uterus only while leaving the cervix.

Hysterectomy Surgical Approaches

Abdominal hysterectomy is a common procedure – and it remained so for long until the advent of novel minimally invasive procedures that involves different techniques and procedures. With the emergence of newer techniques and procedures, the duration of surgery, recovery time, post-surgical issues and complications have significantly reduced. Owing to these reasons, the advanced treatment approaches have become standard treatments.

Gynaecologists are now using modern techniques and approaches for hysterectomy based on the diagnosis, patient’s overall health and the reason for the hysterectomy. Different surgical approaches that are mostly used for hysterectomy in Hyderabad determine postoperative recovery (healing time).

Gynecologists perform the following four types of surgical approaches:

• Open hysterectomy (abdominal hysterectomy)
• Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy
• Vaginal hysterectomy (for prolapsed uterus)
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy

Abdominal Hysterectomy

In this procedure, your gynecologist makes a cut (incision) in your abdomen – the incision can be horizontal (above pubic bone) or vertical (beyond belly button) depending on the size or indication for surgery.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The size of the incision is six to twelve inches; the procedure time is two to three hours; hospital stay is two to three days and the recovery time is around six to ten weeks.

Vaginal Hysterectomy – No hole surgery or scarless surgery

Uterus is removed through the vagina (the birth canal). It is safe, economical, with least post-operative complications and restrictions. Experienced gynecologists remove the descended uterus (uterine prolapse) through the vagina. Even a non-descended uterus can also be removed – non-descent vaginal hysterectomy (NDVH) in this type, the doctor removes non-prolapsed uterus through vagina.

NDVH is the best procedure to perform for the removal of uterus. It is far better than abdominal hysterectomy and laparoscopic hysterectomy. In other words, the best route to remove uterus is through the vagina – the natural opening. It doesn’t involve any cuts or incisions. For this reason, it is the best option to consider.

The advantages of NDVH

There are many advantages of this procedure over open surgery and laparoscopic surgery including:

• No incision or hole
• No visible scar
• Minimal blood loss
• Short hospital stays
• Faster recovery
• No diet restrictions
• Performed under regional anesthesia
• Less painful compared to other procedures
• Resumption of daily activities is fast

Though the procedure seems to be simple, it requires expertise, skills, dexterity and experience of the gynecologist who is performing it.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

In this type of minimally invasive procedure, your gynecologist makes 3 to 4 small incisions in the abdomen. She uses a thin tube-like instrument with a light and camera at the end. The high resolution and intensity camera provides a clear view of the internal reproductive organs. The gynecologist sees the images on the monitor while performing the procedure. She uses other specialized instruments to cut and remove the uterus.

Learn more about Laparoscopic Surgery

Advantages of Laparoscopic hysterectomy

• Small incisions (less scarring)
• Minimal post-operative pain
• Less blood loss
• Low risk of infection
• Minimum risk of post-operative complications
• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stays

Before planning hysterectomy, your gynecologist will recommend a pelvic ultrasound, a complete blood count, Pap Smear after a thorough physical examination. She will also perform a comprehensive pelvic examination.

Bottom Line

The treatment option or the selection of the type of hysterectomy procedure largely depends on your medical history, symptoms, the size of uterus, overall health and individual preferences. In addition, post-surgical recovery time, your hospital stays, expenditure, post-operative care may depend, to a large extend, on the type of procedure you have had undergone. In general, your gynecologist will decide your eligibility for a particular procedure based on several factors.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the different types of hysterectomy procedures that we have discussed here, you can meet me personally.