Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that implies the fact that the uterus of a woman is partially or totally removed. The need for it might occur out of various causes; cancer is one of the main reasons for this surgery. The decision is usually taken depending on how advanced the disease is. Hysterectomy can also be required in case of uterine fibroids, when it is not possible to remove them without affecting the uterus.
Endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, uterine prolapse and adenomyosis are also possible causes of this surgery. In each of the diseases mentioned above, this is basically the last solution, after all the other treatment options have been explored. If nothing else works, then this surgery is considered. Depending on how much of the uterus is actually removed, it can be of three types: the first one is the subtotal type and it means that the surgeon removes the upper part of the uterus, but the cervix is not affected by the procedure. The second type is total hysterectomy; it implies the total removal of the uterus and the cervix. The most serious form is the radical one. This leaves the woman without the uterus, the cervix and the upper part of the vagina. It is only performed in very serious medical conditions, like cancer in advanced phases, for instance. Sometimes, depending on the cause, this might be accompanied by removal of ovaries also.
Visit at http://www.kenleong.com.au/ Dr Leong is a Monash IVF infertility clinician trained in advanced minimally invasive gynaecology surgery. He performs all stages of laparoscopic endometriosis surgery, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries for uterine fibroids and laparoscopic tubal reversal surgery. He also observes a large number of older couples requiring egg donation to help them conceive.
Robotic Gynaecology and IVF Australia 