Hysterectomy

Overview

Mayo Clinic gynecologic surgeons perform hundreds of hysterectomies each year to treat gynecologic disorders and cancers of the female genital tract. They are leaders in the use of innovative surgical techniques such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

Mayo Clinic gynecologic surgeons work with other physicians and the patient to determine whether hysterectomy is the best treatment option or alternatives to surgery are possible.

Mayo gynecologic surgeons use minimally invasive surgery whenever possible, because of its potential benefits for patients: shorter recovery time and less pain and blood loss.

Types of Hysterectomies

Open Surgery

An open abdominal hysterectomy is performed through an incision in the lower abdomen. Complete recovery time is four to eight weeks.

Minimally Invasive - Laparoscopic

In a conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy, several small incisions are made in the abdomen. A small tube (laparoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions. The laparoscope brings light and a small camera into the abdomen, and surgeons view the surgical area on a television monitor. In a laparoscopic hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through the vagina, instead of through an incision in the abdomen.

Laparoscopic surgery takes extensive training to perform safely and correctly. Benefits of a minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy can include less pain and blood loss than open surgery. Usually, recovery time is also shorter, and patients can return to normal activity, with minor restrictions, in one to two weeks. Read more about minimally invasive surgery.

Minimally Invasive - Robotic

In robotic hysterectomy, surgeons perform the hysterectomy through small abdominal incisions using the computer-enhanced daVinci robotic system. Mayo Clinic surgeons have performed hundreds of robotic hysterectomies. The robotic instruments are inserted through four to five small incisions in the patient's abdomen. The surgeon controls the instruments from a remote control console in the operating room, viewing the surgical area — magnified and in 3-D — on a video screen while performing the procedure.

The robotic system's computer offers capabilities (magnification, adjustment for hand tremors, fine control of the instruments) which allow the surgeon to operate with more precision and flexibility than traditional hysterectomy. Usually, patients have less pain and blood loss and can return to normal activity, with minor restrictions, in one to two weeks. Currently, Mayo Clinic surgeons are studying the benefits of robotic surgery compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery. Read about robot-assisted surgery at Mayo.

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Types of hysterectomy

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About Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy, an operation to remove a woman's uterus, is the second most common surgery among women in the United States. During a hysterectomy, a surgeon detaches the uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes, upper vagina, and connecting blood vessels. The lower part of the uterus, the cervix, may be left in place (partial hysterectomy) or removed (complete). A complete or total hysterectomy is the most common type of abdominal hysterectomy. In some cases of gynecologic cancer, the surgeon may perform a radical abdominal hysterectomy, removing the uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina, and supporting tissues.

A hysterectomy may be needed for many different conditions, including gynecologic cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, persistent abnormal or heavy vaginal bleeding, or chronic pelvic pain. Uterine fibroids (noncancerous tumors on the walls of the uterus) are the most common reason for a hysterectomy. Often, one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes also are removed during a hysterectomy (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy). If the patient hasn't reached menopause, a hysterectomy will stop monthly periods and prevent pregnancy.

Read more about hysterectomy at www.MayoClinic.com.