Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A New Approach

With incisions no bigger than keyholes, a woman can undergo a hysterectomy, go home the same day, and be back at her desk within two weeks.

Doctors say that as technology improves, and they become more familiar with the techniques, they are performing laparoscopic hysterectomies more often, usually at the behest of women who want to be back on their feet in a hurry.

Some women may have postponed the procedure for years, enduring pain or bleeding, because they couldn’t afford the usual recovery time.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy, or the surgical removal of the uterus, can be performed with the use of the laparoscope. Instead of creating a large incision on the abdomen through which the uterus is removed, a laparoscope is inserted through small incisions into the abdomen to either assist in the vaginal removal of the uterus, or more recently, completely remove the uterus using the laparoscopic approach. The laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and the more recently developed complete laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed in an outpatient setting since they allow faster recovery times for women.

Supracervical Hysterectomy?

Some physicians think it’s best to perform a procedure known as a “supracervical” hysterectomy, leaving the cervix – the narrow outer end of uterus – intact in women who do not have irregular Pap smears or other complications.

The thought is that leaving the cervix will protect vaginal supports and help prevent prolapse, a condition that occurs over time when the bladder or rectum is pulled downward. This kind of surgery also eases the worries of some women who think removing the cervix will interfere with their sex lives, though studies have shown there is usually no physical change to prevent normal sexual pleasure after healing, doctors said.
Other doctors prefer to perform laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies (or LAVH), which also have a faster recovery time than “open” surgery.

This excerpt is provided by the National Institutes of Health.

This information is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, or have any questions, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.