Hysterectomy: Types, Benefits, Risks, and Patient Guide

What Is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the uterus of a woman. The uterus, also known as the womb, has the primary function of developing and holding the baby until birth. Also, the inner lining of the uterus is responsible for producing menstrual blood. If the patient has some problems with the uterus or some long-term pain, then a hysterectomy is done to help the patient overcome her problem. There are many possible reasons why the patient has to undergo a hysterectomy, ranging from chronic pain to cancer.

Hysterectomy generally describes the process of completely removing the uterus, along with the ovaries and fallopian tubes. But based on the reason for surgery, it might differ from one person to another. Once a hysterectomy is done, the menstrual cycle will stop, and it will make the woman unable to conceive.

Why Is Hysterectomy Performed?

As mentioned earlier, a hysterectomy can be suggested by your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Chronic pelvic pain.

• Uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer.

• Uterine prolapse (a condition when the uterus drops down through the cervix and projects outside the vagina).

• Uncontrollable vaginal bleeding.

• Endometritis (a condition where the inner lining of the uterus begins to grow outside the uterine cavity, causing severe pain and bleeding).

• Fibroids (the benign tumors that develop in the uterus).

• Adenomyosis (a similar condition to that of endometritis, where the inner lining of the uterus begins to grow into the uterus muscle).

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious infection of the reproductive organs).

For non-cancerous tumors, hysterectomy is considered the last treatment option, only if all the other treatment methods have not shown any progress.

What Are the Types of Hysterectomies?

The surgical procedure of hysterectomy is different for each person, and it differs based on the exact reason why the procedure is required. Hence, based on the reason, the surgeon might choose to remove the entire uterus or only some parts of the uterus. Thus, depending on the parts removed during the procedure, hysterectomy is classified into three types:

• Supracervical or Subtotal Hysterectomy: In this procedure, only the upper part of the uterus is removed, and the cervix is left in its place.

• Total Hysterectomy: In this procedure, the entire uterus, along with the cervix, is removed.

• Radical Hysterectomy: In this procedure, the entire uterus, along with tissues present in the side of the uterus, the cervix, and the top part of the vagina, is removed. This procedure is done only in the case of cancer.

What Are the Different Surgical Methods of Hysterectomy?

Surgery differs in approach based on the surgeon’s experience, the reason for the procedure, and the patient’s other health conditions.

They are classified into two based on the approach, which are:

1. Open Surgery Hysterectomy:

Open surgery hysterectomy, also called abdominal hysterectomy, is the most common approach and accounts for more than 55% of the procedures performed for non-cancerous diseases. This procedure involves a 5- to 7-inch incision across the belly (above, below, or side to side). The surgeon will use this incision to remove the uterus. After the open surgery hysterectomy, the patient must stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days for medical care. And this procedure will produce a visible scar at the site of the incision even after full healing.

2. MIP Hysterectomy:

MIP is a minimally invasive procedure wherein the approach is not very invasive and has only a slight cut or incision. There are three different approaches used for MIP hysterectomy, which are:

• Vaginal Hysterectomy: As the name suggests, the surgeon will make a small incision inside the vagina and remove the uterus through the vagina. This will have no scars, as the incision will be closed inside.

• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: This procedure is done through a small tube called a laparoscope, which has a lighted camera. Other surgical tools are inserted through several cuts made in the belly. Another method is called single-site laparoscopy, where a single small cut is made in the belly button, and the surgery is performed from outside the body with the help of the video from the camera.

• Laparoscopic Vaginal Hysterectomy: This procedure is similar to the vaginal hysterectomy, but the only difference is that the laparoscopic tools in the belly are used to assist in the procedure.

• Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: This is similar to the generic laparoscopic hysterectomy, but the doctor will control the tools using a technologically advanced robot system. This will give the surgeon more accessibility and free movement of the wrist.

What Are the Advantages of a Hysterectomy Procedure?

The main benefits of the hysterectomy procedure are:

• This hysterectomy surgery is life-saving for individuals having cervical, lung, or ovarian cancer.

• It helps to heal chronic pelvic pain and irregular periods for individuals with fibroids or endometriosis.

• Risks of cancer can be lowered.

What Are the Complications of Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is similar to any other major surgery and has its own complications. But there have not been any life-threatening conditions that have occurred as a result of a hysterectomy.

Some of the possible complications of the hysterectomy procedure include:

• Urinary incontinence.

• Chronic pain.

• Vaginal prolapse.

• Fistula formation in the vagina (the connection between the vagina and the bladder or the vagina and the rectum).

• Surgical complications such as blood clots, hemorrhage, infections, injury to the surrounding organs, etc.

What Are the Side Effects of a Hysterectomy Procedure?

The side effects of the hysterectomy procedure are:

• Vaginal bleeding that can last up to six weeks.

• Following surgery, there can be difficulty peeing or passing stools.

• Irritation at the incision sites.

• Women will experience menopause at an early age.

• Blood transfusion might be required due to excessive bleeding.

• Infection.

• Hernia.

• Pain.

• Formation of scar tissue.

• Injury to surrounding organs such as intestines, blood vessels, nerves, ureters, and bladders.

When a hysterectomy procedure is done by the surgeon, where the ovaries are completely removed, and you haven’t gone through menopause, then there might be symptoms of menopause, such as:

• Hot flushes (sudden flares of heat along with sweating and flushed skin).

• Difficulty sleeping.

• Loss of libido.

• Vaginal dryness.

What Is the Recovery Period After a Hysterectomy Procedure?

After a hysterectomy, the patient stays in the hospital for up to five days. Recovery takes six to eight weeks, depending on the type of hysterectomy performed. Avoiding vigorous activities and lifting heavy objects after a hysterectomy is better.

Conclusion:

The type of surgery will determine the recovery rate and the activities you can perform. For instance, if the surgery is vaginal or laparoscopic, then the recovery time is usually three weeks, and you can return to your regular activities. But if you have had an abdominal hysterectomy, then the recovery time is usually around six weeks.

Key Takeaway From iCliniq:

• Hysterectomy is a surgical process where the uterus is removed to treat conditions like fibroids, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, or cancer.

• It can be a section (removal of the uterus only) or total (uterus and cervix), sometimes with the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

If you have fibroids or endometriosis or know someone suffering from it, you can always ask our iCliniq obstetrics and gynecologist, who can treat your problems.