Hysterectomy

Description of the procedure

A hysterectomy is surgery that is performed to remove a woman's uterus. There are several different types of hysterectomy, including:

• subtotal hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed but the cervix is not
• total hysterectomy, where both the uterus and the cervix are removed
• radical hysterectomy, where the uterus, cervix, and nearby lymph nodes are removed

Doctors usually perform this procedure under general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

When should this procedure be performed?

Doctors perform this procedure only when it is medically necessary. After this procedure, a woman cannot become pregnant.

Why is this procedure performed?

A hysterectomy may be performed to treat a variety of gynecological conditions, including:

• cancer of the cervix
• cancer of the uterus
• endometriosis (a condition where parts of the uterus lining end up in other areas of the body, usually in the ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvic area, causing pain)
• heavy bleeding (which may occur after childbirth) that other treatments do not control
• pain in the pelvis that does not go away with treatment
• uterine fibroids (non-cancerous tumors in the uterus)
• weakening of the uterus ligaments which hold the uterus in place (uterine prolapse)

Are there any risks and precautions I should know about?

Certain risks are common to all surgery and every time an anesthetic is used. These include side effects of the anesthetic, breathing problems, infection, and bleeding.

There are also some risks specific to this procedure. Although it is rare, damage the bowel, bladder, or urinary tract is possible. The surgery may also damage the ovaries, which could lead to decreased levels of certain hormones. There is a rare risk that the ovaries could completely lose their ability to function, leading to early menopause.