Hysterectomy is one of the most common and frequently performed surgeries in women. Surgeons take many approaches to completing the surgery, with abdominal hysterectomy being a traditional approach and laparoscopic hysterectomy a more modern approach. Important considerations for deciding on the strategy include previous surgeries and whether more procedures may be needed during the surgery. The most important aspect is to get the most benefit with the minimum risks. Here, you will learn about laparoscopic vs abdominal hysterectomy and which is the safer bet.
A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and likely your cervix through surgery. Depending on the reason, it may involve removing the surrounding tissues and organs, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. After a hysterectomy, you can’t get pregnant, and you won’t have your menstrual cycle.
Hysterectomy is not the first treatment healthcare providers suggest. When other treatments don’t help, and surgery is the only option, surgeons perform this procedure. Hysterectomy is recommended as a treatment for:
An abdominal hysterectomy is a procedure where the uterus is removed by making an incision in the abdomen. Fallopian tubes, one or both ovaries and the cervix may be removed during the surgery, which is called a total hysterectomy. A partial hysterectomy may be done by removing the uterus and leaving the cervix intact. It can also be done by making an incision through the vagina, which is called a vaginal hysterectomy. An abdominal hysterectomy is recommended instead of other types:
An abdominal hysterectomy is a major surgery; while it is generally safe, it comes with some complications, which include:
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is another surgery option that is an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy. This minimally invasive hysterectomy procedure benefits include less bleeding, less chance of infection, less pain and quick recovery to normal activities than abdominal hysterectomy. This is a vaginal hysterectomy done using a laparoscope which is a flexible thin tube with a video camera. Tiny incisions are made in the abdomen close to the navel, and thin tubes are inserted through them. The uterus is removed in sections through the vagina or the laparoscopic tube.
A laparoscopic hysterectomy is preferred because it has many advantages. Typically, the incisions are smaller than a centimetre. This procedure also allows a thorough examination of the abdomen and helps excision of endometriosis. If pelvic adhesive disease or severe endometriosis is present, a laparoscopic hysterectomy is preferred. Laparoscopic hysterectomy safety is another benefit, as there are fewer haemorrhage complications.
However, there are some risks of this surgery. If cancer is suspected, then this procedure should not be performed. If there are uterine fibroids and the uterus is enlarged, it is not possible to remove it in one piece. The uterus needs to be cut into small pieces (morcellation). Morcellation of unexpected cancer may adversely affect the outcome. So, if cancer is suspected, laparoscopic hysterectomy is not recommended. However, if the cancer risk is low, then the benefits of this procedure outweigh the risks. One major advantage of this is in hysterectomy recovery time differences. The recovery time for this surgery is typically 2 to 4 weeks.
Diagnostic tests are needed to check cancer and other issues. Test results may change the doctor’s approach to the surgery. Tests include
Before surgery, gather the information needed by asking questions to your healthcare team. Know about the steps involved in surgery and what to expect.
