Hysterectomy Research Paper

Introduction

A hysterectomy is a surgery in which the uterus is removed. This surgery may be done to treat various medical problems. After the surgery, a woman will no longer have menstrual periods. The surgery will also make a woman unable to become pregnant (sterile). The fallopian tubes and ovaries can be removed (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) during this surgery as well.

Reasons for a hysterectomy

Persistent, abnormal bleeding.

Lasting (chronic) pelvic pain or infection.

The lining of the uterus (endometrium) starts growing outside the uterus (endometriosis).

The endometrium starts growing in the muscle of the uterus (adenomyosis).

The uterus falls down into the vagina (pelvic organ prolapse).

Noncancerous growths in the uterus (uterine

A large surgical cut (incision) is made in the abdomen. The uterus is removed through this incision.

Vaginal hysterectomy. An incision is made in the vagina. The uterus is removed through this incision. There are no abdominal incisions.

Conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy. Three or four small incisions are made in the abdomen. A thin, lighted tube with a camera (laparoscope) is inserted into one of the incisions. Other tools are put through the other incisions. The uterus is cut into small pieces. The small pieces are removed through the incisions, or they are removed through the vagina.

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Three or four small incisions are made in the abdomen. Part of the surgery is performed laparoscopically and part vaginally. The uterus is removed through the

A laparoscope and other tools are inserted into 3 or 4 small incisions in the abdomen. A computer-controlled device is used to give the surgeon a 3D image and to help control the surgical instruments. This allows for more precise movements of surgical instruments. The uterus is cut into small pieces and removed through the incisions or removed through the vagina.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

Bleeding and risk of blood transfusion. Tell your health care provider if you do not want to receive any blood products.

Blood clots in the legs or lung.

Infection.

Damage to other structures or organs.

Allergic reactions to medicine or anesthesia.

Changing to an abdominal hysterectomy from one of the other techniques.

What to expect after a hysterectomy

You will be given pain medicine.

You will need to have someone with you for the first 3–5 days after you go home.

You will need to follow up with your surgeon in 2–4 weeks after surgery to evaluate your progress.

You may have early menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia.

If you had a hysterectomy for a problem that was not cancer or not a condition that could lead to cancer, then you no longer need Pap tests. However, even if you no longer need a Pap test, a regular exam is a good idea to make sure no other problems are developing.

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