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Hysterectomy is the surgical term for the removal of the uterus (womb). This results in the inability to become pregnant. The surgery may be done through the abdomen or the vagina.
This type of surgery can be:
You may have a hysterectomy if your uterus is causing health problems that cannot be treated by other means. Some reasons a woman may have a hysterectomy are to:
Explore your options before having a hysterectomy. There are other treatments for many of these problems.
If you are planning to have hysterectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Discuss the risks with your doctor before surgery.
Your doctor may do the following:
You should do the following:
General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep during the surgery.
The doctor will make a small cut near the navel to insert a laparoscope (instrument with a camera on the end). This device will allow the doctor to see the pelvic organs. To better view the organs, the abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide. The doctor will make more small cuts in the abdomen. Through these cuts, other small tools will be inserted. A cut will also be made where the uterus joins the vagina. The bladder and rectum will be gently pushed off the uterus. The uterus will then be removed through the cut in the vagina. Lastly, the doctor will close the cut with stitches.
A "packing" is placed in the vagina. This will be removed after 1-2 days.
In some cases, the doctor may switch to open surgery .
You will be given IV fluids and medicines.
1-3 hours
You will likely have pain, fullness, bloating, and vaginal bleeding or discharge during the first few days. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.
You may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or the next day. You will stay longer if you have complications.
While you are recovering at the hospital, you may receive the following care:
When at home, do the following:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911 .
RESOURCES:
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/
Women's Health.gov
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/index_e.asp/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/
References:
American Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ . Accessed September 8, 2009.
Bren L. Alternatives to hysterectomy: new technologies, more options. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/2001/601_tech.html . Accessed February 20, 2008.
Hysterectomy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org . Published March 2006. Accessed September 8, 2009.
Hysterectomy: frequently asked questions. Women's Health.gov website. Available at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hysterectomy.htm . Updated July 2006. Accessed September 8, 2009.
Women's reproductive health: hysterectomy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/WomensRH/Hysterectomy.htm .Updated January 2008. Accessed February 20, 2008.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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