Vaginal Hysterectomy
What is it?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus, sometimes including the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Why might you need to have it?
A hysterectomy may be recommended for conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, or certain cancers.
Are there different types?
- Total Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus and cervix
- Subtotal (Partial) Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus while preserving the cervix
- Radical Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus, cervix, surrounding tissue, and sometimes lymph nodes
Hysterectomies can be performed using different approaches.
With a vaginal hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through the vagina. It is considered one of the least invasive approaches, with potentially fewer complications, less pain, and a faster recovery than abdominal hysterectomies. However this may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with large uteri or prior pelvic surgery.
With a laparoscopic hysterectomy, small incisions are made in the abdomen. Surgical instruments and a camera are inserted through the incisions to remove the uterus and any other tissue as required. It is minimally invasive but it requires a general anaesthetic. This approach can be robot assisted, which is considered to have a few advantages, for more information please click here.
With an abdominal hysterectomy, a larger incision is made in the abdomen. This is generally for more complex cases or when minimally invasive approaches are not feasible. The hospital stay and recovery from this operation is likely to take longer.
Is it day-case surgery?
Hysterectomies typically require a hospital stay, though some minimally invasive procedures may allow for same-day discharge.
