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A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial. In many cases, surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) is performed concurrent with a hysterectomy.
Although many hysterectomies are performed via a full abdominal incision, two common surgical approaches which are less invasive are laparotomy or vaginally.
Indications for hysterectomy include heavy menstrual bleeding, with or without associated pain.
Fibroids are treated by hysterectomy, as it remains a safer option than simply removing the fibroids in a proportion of patients, the main risk being heavy blood loss during and after the operation.
Early stage cancer of the cervix and body of the uterus are both treatable by surgery, though in the case of cervical cancer the outcome for the patient is comparable with radiotherapy. Surgery with ovarian conservation is an option for the pre-menopausal patient.
New treatment options have begun to decrease the number of hysterectomies performed in the USA and UK. Despite this, some women still undergo unnecessary surgery, as some are not given adequate access to good therapeutic alternatives.
External links
- A Survivor's Guide to Surgical Menopause (http://www.geocities.com/surmeno/who.htm#top) Collected information on managing post-hysterectomy conditions
- Hysterectomy (http://www.healthdiaries.com/women/hysterectomy/elizabeth/) A woman documents her experience through hysterectomy surgery and recovery.
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