About Hysterectomy
There are many types of hysterectomy, partial, removing only the body of the uterus, or total, removing the entire uterus and cervix, are the two most common. One or both ovaries and or fallopian tubes may be removed at the same time if needed and in accordance with patient desires. A radical hysterectomy, when a surgeon removes the entire uterus, as well as additional vaginal tissue and part of the vagina, is generally reserved for treatment of certain cancer diagnoses. Hysterectomy may be offered to treat a wide variety of gynecological medical conditions including cancer, fibroids, adenomyosis, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or chronic pelvic pain.
Hysterectomy ends menstruation and the ability to become pregnant. For women who hope to become pregnant in the future, alternatives to hysterectomy may be available for their condition.
Types of Hysterectomy
Supracervical hysterectomy - removal of the upper part of the uterus leaving the cervix behind.
Total hysterectomy - removal of the uterus and cervix.
Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The removal of both ovaries will initiate menopause, since your body can no longer produce estrogen.
Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, the upper portion of the vagina and some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. A radical hysterectomy may be performed to treat early cervical or very advanced uterine cancer.
Minimally Invasive da Vinci Hysterectomy
Utilizing robotic surgical techniques, surgeons have the ability to perform a hysterectomy in a minimally invasive manner (without having to open the patient). Minimally invasive hysterectomy has been extended for use in almost all patients with the use of the da Vinci robot because this tool helps surgeons overcome many of the obstacles that caused gynecologists to resort to the traditional open surgery. Therefore even patients with a very large uterus, extensive endometriosis, multiple prior C-section, previous surgeries or other issues that make hysterectomy difficult have the option of having minimally invasive surgery and get better quickly.
For many women the da Vinci hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including:
- Less blood loss and need for transfusion
- Less risk of infection
- Less risk of complications
- Quicker recovery and return to normal activities
- Shorter hospital stay
- Significantly less pain
- Small incisions with minimal scarring
Find a Doctor
Use our search tool to find a gynecologist at Saint Francis or St. Mary’s.
