CCRM FERTILITY OF PARK RIDGE, IL
Hysterectomy in Park Ridge, IL
What is a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is defined as the surgical removal of the uterus.
There are two types of hysterectomy:
- A Total Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and cervix.
- A Subtotal or Supracervical Hysterectomy is the removal of only the uterus.
Whether or not to remove the cervix is a discussion between the woman and the surgeon. A woman with cervical pathology, history of abnormal pap smears or has deep endometriosis near the cervix may be encouraged to have the cervix removed. The removal of the cervix does not seem to interfere with sexual satisfaction for a majority of women. If the cervix remains intact, routine pap smear screening is still recommended even with no history of abnormal pap smears.
Removing the ovaries and tubes is referred to as a Salpingo-oophorectomy. This is not recommended to all women undergoing a hysterectomy and should be discussed with your surgeon about the risks and benefits to undergo removal versus preserving the ovaries and tubes.
What are the reasons to have a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is the most common gynecologic procedure performed in the United States. However, the numbers of cases seem to be decreasing due to advances in medicine allowing patients less invasive options.
If these less invasive options fail or are not recommended on an individual basis, women may be offered a hysterectomy for:
- Uterine fibroids
- Pelvic pain
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic adhesions
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Uterine prolapse
- Pre-cancerous/cancerous disease
A hysterectomy is rarely performed on an emergent basis and the decision to proceed with this surgery should be mutually agreed upon by the woman and her surgeon after discussing hysterectomy risks and benefits, alternatives, fertility desires and expectations after the surgery.
What are the risks/benefits to a hysterectomy?
The benefit to having a hysterectomy is that it is allows for complete resolution of any symptoms caused by the uterus without the risk of the symptoms coming back. It is a definitive approach to managing symptoms if other treatment options have failed or a woman is not a candidate for other therapies.
Are there different ways to perform a hysterectomy?
There are three different approaches to a hysterectomy:
- Abdominal incision. The most traditional technique is through a single, approximately 4-6 inch, abdominal incision. If the indication for surgery is non-cancerous or the uterus is not too large, the incision is made horizontally about 2 finger-breadths above the pubic bone, also known as the “bikini incision”, otherwise, a midline, vertical incision may be recommended.
- The hospital stay is about 2 to 4 days long and the recovery is about 6 to 8 weeks long. This technique can be applied to both total and subtotal hysterectomies.
- Vaginal approach. There are no abdominal incisions, however, only a total hysterectomy can be performed. The uterus also has to be mobile and small enough to fit through the vaginal canal. The hospital stay is usually one night. The postoperative pain is significantly less than an abdominal hysterectomy.
- However, recovery is still about 6 weeks long so that the vaginal cuff, where the cervix once use to be, can heal from the sutures. Most women resume daily activities, other than intercourse at about 2 weeks.
- Laparoscopic approach. This technique involves 3 to 4, less than ½ an inch skin incisions to perform. The patient may go home the same day or stay overnight. Postoperative pain is significantly less than the abdominal approach.
The recovery is about 2 weeks long if a subtotal hysterectomy is performed. If a total hysterectomy is performed, 6 weeks of no intercourse is recommended if the cervix is removed so that the vaginal cuff can heal. Most women resume other daily activities within 2 weeks.
Advantages of the laparoscopic approach versus the vaginal approach
Large uteri can be removed as well as other abdominal pathology, such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, etc. Laparoscopy is a newer approach to hysterectomy and involves a surgeon skilled in this technique. In our practice, our surgeons are well trained in laparoscopy and can safely perform simple and difficult hysterectomies using this approach.
- Endometriosis: Implants of cells of the lining of the uterine cavity (endometrium) outside of the uterus in the pelvis, potentially causing inflammation, scarring, and/or pain.
- Adenomyosis: Implants of cells of the lining of the uterine cavity (endometrium) growing into the muscle of the uterus causing painful periods and abnormal uterine bleeding.
- Pelvic adhesions: Scar tissue formed from an inflammatory process, such as endometriosis, chronic infection, bowel disease, or previous surgery, that distorts the normal pelvic anatomy limiting its natural mobility.
- Pelvic congestion: Pooling of blood in the veins (varicosities) of the uterus and ovaries causing pain after long periods of standing, deep penetration with intercourse and pain after intercourse. With this condition, pain seems to improve with laying down and rest.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infection causing inflammation and possibly scar tissue. It is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that spreads to your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.
- How it’s treated: Antibiotics may be prescribed. Surgery may be recommended if an abscess has formed in the fallopian tube and/or ovary and symptoms are not improving on antibiotics.
- Uterine fibroids: Non-cancerous growths of the uterine muscle causing space-occupying symptoms, such as pressure and pain.
- Cancer of the pelvic organs: Abnormal cell growth of the pelvic organs can cause increasing inflammation and scarring as it continues to grow.
- Ovarian remnant syndrome or residual ovarian syndrome: Part of the ovary is left behind from a previous surgery causing ovarian function to continue, which may have been the source of pain initially.
CCRM Fertility of Park Ridge
1700 Luther Lane, Suite 3150
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Phone: (847) 593-1040
Fax: (630) 428-0336
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 6:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 6:00am – 3:00pm