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Hysterectomy Facts

Hysterectomy Facts:

Approximately 300 out of every 100,000 women will undergo a hysterectomy.

hysterectomy is surgery to take out a woman’s uterus

Other organs (cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes) might also be removed if you have severe problems such as endometriosis or cancer.

Whether or not the ovaries are removed depends on age and risk for certain types of cancer

hysterectomy is usually done to treat problems with the uterus, such as severe pain and heavy bleeding caused by endometriosis or fibroid tumors

most women are in the hospital 1 or 2 days after the surgery, sometimes up to four days depending on circumstances and health

Only 10% of hysterectomy are performed because of cancer.

Hysterectomy Facts: Non-cancerous reasons for hysterectomy are common:

fibroids - are common non-cancerous (benign) tumors of the uterus and they are the most frequent reason for recommending a hysterectomy

endometriosis - a noncancerous condition in which cells from the uterine lining grow like islands outside of the uterus

prolapse - the bladder and/or rectum may be pulled downward with the uterus. This happens to most women to some degree. For the vast majority, the sagging is minor and symptoms are not severe. A hysterectomy with repair of supporting structures is usually recommended in more serious cases.

pelvic adhesion - irritation of the lining of the abdomen may cause adhesions (scarring) which bind affected organs to each other. The adhesions can result from endometriosis, infection or injury.

Hysterectomy Facts:Abdominal hysterectomy. In this type, the doctor makes a cut in the belly, either across the bikini line or straight up and down. The doctor takes out the uterus and the cervix. This type is most often done when cancer might be present or when severe endometriosis, a lot of scar tissue (adhesions), or a very large uterus makes the uterus hard to remove.

Hysterectomy Facts:Vaginal hysterectomy. With this type, the doctor takes out the uterus through the vagina. He or she makes a small cut in the vagina instead of the belly. Your doctor will not use this method when there is a chance that cancer may be in the uterus, cervix, or ovaries. Doctors use this type of surgery only in cases where the uterus is small and easy to remove.

Hysterectomy Facts:Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). To do this surgery, the doctor puts a lighted tube (laparoscope) through small cuts in your belly. The doctor can see your organs with the scope and can insert surgical tools to cut the tissue that holds your uterus in place. Then he or she can remove the uterus through your vagina.

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). With LSH, the doctor inserts the scope and tools through small cuts in your belly. He or she takes out the uterus in small pieces and leaves the cervix in place. This surgery is done only if you don't have cervical cancer.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). In this type, the doctor inserts a scope and tools through several small cuts in the belly. The doctor takes out the uterus and the cervix in small pieces through one of the cuts.

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