Know Six Types Of Hysterectomy!

Hysterectomy, a surgical procedure used for the removal of uterus and cervix.

This is an invasive procedure, but today with advanced technology and innovative surgical devices and techniques make the procedure as less invasive.

Some of these techniques can only remove your uterus allowing you to keep your cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Also, there is reduced hospital stays and recovery time.

Before undergoing the surgery, get some knowledge about the types of hysterectomy so that you can remove the fear about undergoing the surgery.

Here are the types of hysterectomy:

1. Total abdominal or open hysterectomy

In this traditional and most invasive type of hysterectomy, uterus and cervix are removed through large abdominal incision. This type of hysterectomy is recommended for women who have large fibroids and are not removed with any type of hormone therapy or can’t be removed vaginally.

This procedure can also be preferred if you have pelvic infections, cancer, severe endometriosis, and scarring from previous pelvic surgeries. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and it needs a hospital stay for 3-6 days.

Abdominal hysterectomy leaves a visible scar on your abdomen. Women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy can not give birth to a child. So, it can not be recommended for women in their childbearing age unless there is any serious condition like cancer.

2. Vaginal hysterectomy

Uterus and cervix are removed by making an incision deep inside your vagina. Usually, this method is considered to treat uterine vaginal prolapse, cervical dysplasia, endometrial hyperplasia and also for treating early uterine and cervical cancer.

Vaginal hysterectomy needs less post-operative discomfort and shortened hospital stay, recovery time. During the procedure, you need to keep your legs raised up in a stirrup device. This procedure can not be considered

• If you have large fibroids


• If your uterus is too large


• If you can not keep the legs raised in the stirrup device for longer periods


• If there is a need to examine your entire abdomen

3. Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)

It is a most expensive and has higher complication rates when compared to abdominal hysterectomy. This procedure is very similar to vaginal hysterectomy.

Uterus and cervix are removed by making an incision deep inside the vagina and also a laparascope, a thin lighted telescope is inserted by making a small incision in the vagina.

It needs longer hospital stays and recovery time. Having too large uterus, history of prior surgery, or large pelvic mass makes your surgeon to consider abdominal hysterectomy.

4. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH)

This is a less invasive and less traumatic procedure. This procedure uses a thin, lighted telescope like device that acts like a video camera along with various small surgical instruments that are inserted through your vagina.

During the procedure, your surgeon carefully separates uterus from the cervix and removes it through an opening. Cervix i.e. the bottom part of the uterus is left undamaged.

This procedure puts less stress on your body than an open hysterectomy. This procedure is mainly developed to reduce the pain, minimize scarring and shorten the recovery time.

It keeps the cervix undamaged, which helps to reduce the risk of pelvic floor prolapse, urinary incontinence and other types of complications associated with open hysterectomies.

5. Supracervical hysterectomy

This procedure removes the uterus while sparing the cervix leaving it as a stump. Women who are at a risk of cervical cancer or undergo Pap smear are not good candidates for this type of hysterectomy. If you have severe endometriosis, cervix is better kept in its place. It is very simple and needs less recovery time.

6. Radical hysterectomy

It involves more extensive surgery than a total abdominal hysterectomy. Similar to abdominal hysterectomy, this also includes removal of tissues surrounding the uterus and upper vagina.

For treating cervical cancer in its early stages, this procedure is most commonly preferred. Severe complications associated with radical hysterectomy include damage to your urinary system and bowels.