There are various reasons for recommending a hysterectomy. Common indications include:
- Heavy bleeding due to fibroids
- Pelvic pain from endometriosis and adenomyosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Cancer of the uterus, cervix and ovaries
Excluding cancers, hysterectomy is usually considered only after exhausting all other non-surgical options first.
There are different approaches for a hysterectomy depending on the surgeon’s experience, indication for hysterectomy and the patient’s health and wishes.
Traditionally most hysterectomies were performed as open surgery (over 65%). This left patients with longer recovery times and large abdominal scars. Vaginal hysterectomy is used for women experiencing prolapse, however it is not recommended in scenarios with concomitant pathology such as large fibroids.
The newer minimally invasive surgeries can be done via Laparoscopy (key-hole surgery) or with Robotic assistance.
In general, these procedures allow for:
- Faster recovery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Less pain and scarring
- A lower chance of infection when compared to open abdominal hysterectomy