A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman's uterus is removed. This type of surgery typically involves the removal of the entire uterus and cervix (total hysterectomy), but your doctor may leave the cervix intact (partial hysterectomy). Extensive disease or illness may require the removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, a portion of the vagina and any pelvic lymph nodes or ligaments---a procedure called a radical hysterectomy. If your doctor recommends a hysterectomy to address your medical condition, a number of surgical options are available.
Abdominal Hysterectomy
An abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus through an opening in the abdomen. After you are treated with an anesthetic medication that prevents you from feeling pain or discomfort during the procedure, your doctor will make an incision in the lower portion of your abdomen, slightly above your pubic hairline. This cut is typically 5 to 7 inches long and can run horizontally or else vertically up toward your bellybutton. Your surgeon will be able to access and remove your uterus through this incision, which will be closed with stitches after the procedure is completed. This type of procedure is called open surgery and typically requires four to eight weeks for recovery, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic.
Vaginal Hysterectomy
A vaginal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to remove your uterus through an incision made in the vagina. In recent years, surgeons have applied laparoscopic techniques to this procedure. A laparoscope is a small tube, mounted with a tiny camera, that allows your doctor to perform the surgical procedure while limiting the size of the surgical incision. A laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) enables your doctor to remove the uterus through a small incision in the vagina. The major benefits of this type of procedure versus more traditional open surgery methods include decreased pain and blood loss along with a shorter recovery time of one to two weeks.
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy
A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) is a surgical procedure in which your surgeon uses a laparoscope to remove your uterus through small incisions in the abdomen. During this procedure, your surgeon will make three to four small incisions in your abdomen into which the laparoscope and additional surgical tools will be inserted. Your surgeon then cuts the uterus into small pieces, which are removed through the small abdominal incisions. As with LAVH, the recovery time from a LSH is approximately one to two weeks.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is a process in which your surgeon uses a computer-enhanced robotic system to remove your uterus through several small incisions in your abdomen. Though this type of procedure is similar to the laparoscopic hysterectomy, the robotic component allows your surgeon to operate with increased precision and flexibility. This type of surgery is particularly beneficial for use with obese patients or patients with cancer. The recovery time for robotic surgery is approximately one to two weeks.
