Abdominal Hysterectomy
- A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is carried out to remove a woman’s uterus.
- An abdominal hysterectomy involves removing the uterus through an incision in the abdomen.
- The uterus is also called the womb and is the place where a baby grows during pregnancy, while the uterine lining is responsible for menstrual blood.
- A hysterectomy might be required for several reasons, including cancer and certain infections, and the extent depends on the condition that is being treated.
- Having a hysterectomy means a woman will no longer menstruate and cannot have children.
- Let’s look at abdominal hysterectomy in greater detail:
Why is it Required?
You might need an abdominal hysterectomy to treat any of the following conditions:
- Uncontrollable vaginal bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Fibroids (benign tumors growing in the uterus)
- Cancer of the uterus, ovaries, or cervix
- Adenomyosis, which causes the uterine lining to push into the uterine muscle
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis, which is a condition that causes the uterine lining to grow out of the uterine cavity
- Uterine prolapse, which occurs when the uterus protrudes from the vagina after dropping through the cervix
Types
A hysterectomy can be of different types depending on what has to be removed due to the procedure. The three common types of surgical procedure include:
-
Partial hysterectomy:
A part of the uterus is removed in this, with the cervix usually being left intact.
-
Total hysterectomy:
The entire uterus is removed in a total hysterectomy along with the cervix. You will no longer need an annual Pap test but should have regular pelvic examinations regardless.
-
Hysterectomy and Salpingo-Oophorectomy
This procedure removes both ovaries along with the fallopian tubes. You will need hormone replacement therapy after this procedure.
How is it Performed?
- An abdominal hysterectomy can be performed with general or local anesthesia.
- The general anesthesia will put you to sleep while the local anesthesia will numb you from the abdomen down and you will be awake during the surgery.
- An abdominal hysterectomy starts off with a large incision to the abdomen, either horizontal or vertical.
- The doctor then removes the uterus through the opening, making sure to not damage any of the surrounding muscles or blood vessels.
- You will need to spend around two to five days in the hospital after the surgery, during which your vital signs and condition will be constantly monitored.
- Recovery requires rest and a limit on physical exertion.
- The cut should heal without scarring.
Risks
Possible risks of an abdominal hysterectomy include:
- Heavy bleeding and infection around the incision
- Injury to blood vessels, intestines, and bladder
- Adverse risk to the administered anesthetic