A hysterectomy is a type of surgery in which the uterus is removed. Depending on the reason for the hysterectomy, the surgeon may also remove the Fallopian tubes and/or the ovaries as well. There are a few different types of hysterectomy. Each one involves a distinct incision type or location.
Abdominal Hysterectomy
The American Cancer Society describes an abdominal hysterectomy as a type of surgery in which a relatively long incision is made in the lower abdomen. Abdominal hysterectomies are the most common type of hysterectomy performed in the United States, according to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The center also says that the abdominal incision is similar to the one made during a cesarean section, and the uterus is then pulled through this incision once it's separated from the Fallopian tubes. This type of hysterectomy gives the surgeon the best vantage point to examine the uterus and surrounding structures. However, an abdominal hysterectomy is an invasive procedure that's associated with all of the risks of major surgery, including blood loss and a painful recovery.
Vaginal Hysterectomy
A vaginal hysterectomy involves a small incision made in the vagina, and the uterus is then pulled through this incision, according to the American Cancer Society. Because the surgical opening in the vagina is more restrictive than the surgical opening in the abdomen, sometimes a laparoscope is used for this type of hysterectomy. The laparoscope is a specialized tool, often attached to a camera, that's inserted through the incision and allows the surgeon to see the uterus and surrounding tissues. If a laparoscope is used to assist in a vaginal hysterectomy, the procedure is called laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center says that a vaginal hysterectomy is advantageous because there's no visible scar and the recovery is less painful than an abdominal hysterectomy.
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy
According to the UCLA Health System, this type of hysterectomy involves several small incisions made in the abdomen. Tools, including a laparoscope, are then inserted into the incisions. This type of hysterectomy is much less invasive than a traditional abdominal hysterectomy, because the surgeon makes small incisions rather than the large incision. The uterus is then removed through one of the small incisions. The Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center says that if the uterus is large, it can be cut into smaller pieces using a tool called an endoscopic morcellator, which is inserted and the uterus pieces removed through one of the small incisions. Like a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, the recovery from this type of hysterectomy is easier and less painful than an abdominal hysterectomy.
