Hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus to treat problems such as heavy periods, fibroids or pain. There are many different ways to complete this procedure. Your doctor will determine which type of hysterectomy is right for you based on your specific diagnosis.
- Partial or supracervical hysterectomy: This involves the removal of the upper portion of the uterus. The cervix or lower part of the uterus is left intact. The fallopian tubes are also removed
- Total hysterectomy: This is the complete removal of the entire uterus, including the cervix along with the bilateral fallopian tubes.
- Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: This involves the complete removal of the uterus and both ovaries and fallopian tubes. If you are not menopausal, the removal of the ovaries will result in menopause.
Hysterectomy procedures:
- Abdominal hysterectomy: This refers to the traditional surgery where an incision, usually a low “bikini” type cut, is made to remove the uterus.
- Minimally invasive hysterectomy: These procedures utilize techniques and equipment to minimize incisions, which result in less pain and a faster recovery. Following are brief descriptions of each minimally invasive procedure.
- Vaginal hysterectomy: This is removal of the uterus through a small opening at the top of the vagina. When a laparoscope (small camera) is inserted into the abdomen to assist in the removal of the uterus from above, it is called a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy or LAVH.
- Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy: In a vNOTES procedure, surgeons use specialized instruments inserted through the vagina instead of making incisions in the abdomen. This technique results in a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain and faster recovery time. We are one of the few clinics in the area with physicians specialized in this type of hysterectomy.
- Robotic hysterectomy: This is a new and innovative technique utilizing the da Vinci® Robot to remove the uterus. This approach allows our physicians to perform minimally invasive procedures in cases where a large incision would have been necessary in the past. We are proud to be among some of the first gynecologists in the area to offer these procedures.
- Total laparoscopic hysterectomy: During this procedure, the entire hysterectomy, including closure of the top of the vaginal, is performed through small incisions in the abdomen with specialized instruments. This advanced laparoscopic approach offers a more efficient, minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy, again decreasing the need for large incisions and long recovery.
- Vaginal hysterectomy: This is removal of the uterus through a small opening at the top of the vagina. When a laparoscope (small camera) is inserted into the abdomen to assist in the removal of the uterus from above, it is called a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy or LAVH.