Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Is The Choice Alternative For Some Women

A woman who is told she needs a hysterectomy will only hear that one word. However, if you are told you need a hysterectomy, you should know you have choices. There are alternatives to the total abdominal hysterectomy which used to be the only choice women were given. Now, women have choices for other hysterectomies. One of those choices is the laparoscopic hysterectomy.

A laparoscopic hysterectomy is the choice alternative for some women who have endometriosis because the recovery time is less and the stay in the hospital is minimal if at all. The laparoscopic hysterectomy is called the LH and many patients will consider it so much easier to face once they realize the recovery isn’t as painful as the recovery experienced after the abdominal hysterectomy.The laparoscopic hysterectomy is still considered relatively new.

Patients who were once considered in the group of patients who didn’t need a hysterectomy, but instead wanted one (which is debatable) are now opting for this alternative because it is something insurance companies will approve before they will consider paying for the total abdominal hysterectomy.A laparoscopic hysterectomy is something patients can handle better emotionally according to some beliefs. The hysterectomy is one which can be done in outpatient in some circumstances and if not, it is a hysterectomy which only requires a minimum stay over.

Women who have the laparoscopic hysterectomy can then return to normal daily activities quicker than those women who have the other alternatives.Check online for forums on women’s health if you are considering a hysterectomy. Find out if the laparoscopic hysterectomy worked for other women and what their concerns were after the surgery and perhaps you will be better able to make an informed decision for your hysterectomy.Offline, you should be able to obtain brochures from your doctor about the laparoscopic hysterectomy and recovery time for the procedure. Pain medications should be discussed with your doctor as well as any other recommendations for a speedy recovery.

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Hysterectomy Laparoscopic Variety Of Surgical Procedures

Laparoscopic hysterectomy refers to a variety of surgical procedures which are accomplished with the aid of a slender optical tube known as a laparoscope. Hysterectomies performed in this manner may result in less time spent in the operating room and shorter recovery times than similar abdominal procedures. There may also be fewer and smaller scars than those left from abdominal hysterectomies. For these reasons many women are now requesting laparoscope assisted operations. How is a laparoscopic hysterectomy performed and who might be an appropriate candidate for one?

A basic laparoscopic hysterectomy begins with a short incision below the woman’s navel. The laparoscope is inserted through this cut. After the doctor has examined the pelvic cavity via the laparoscope additional incisions will be made. Narrow surgical instruments will then be introduced to the area through the secondary cuts. Using the laparoscope to guide the surgery, the doctor will then cut the uterus away from the patient’s body. The organ will be cut into strips small enough to be removed through the incisions which have been made into the abdomen. Once the uterus has been taken out in this fashion only a few short stitches are need to close the cuts.

Two variations on the common laparoscopic hysterectomy are the laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. One of the disadvantages of a standard vaginal hysterectomy is the inability of the surgeon to view the pelvic area and to see the other reproductive organs. By enlisting the aid of a laparoscope when performing a hysterectomy vaginally, the doctor can more fully ascertain the condition of the reproductive area as a whole.
A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy provides for the uterus to be removed while leaving the cervix intact. The cervix acts as support for many of the pelvic ligaments; not taking it out adds to the post hysterectomy stability of the entire reproductive area. It is also thought that excising the cervix can result in vaginal dryness and decreased sexual response. For these reasons, the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is gaining favor amongst many women and their physicians.

Unfortunately, the uterine conditions that can be treated by some type of laparoscopic hysterectomy are limited. Laparoscopic operations are appropriate for small to medium size uterine fibroids. They may also be successfully performed for less severe cases of endometriosis and for unusual bleeding. If a woman’s ailment has caused her uterus to grow much beyond normal size she generally is not a good candidate for laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Even a laparoscopic hysterectomy is major surgery which should not be contemplated without thorough research. As long as a physician does not feel that a woman is jeopardizing her health, she may want to try remedies for her condition which stop short of hysterectomy. However, once it has been determined that a hysterectomy is necessary, many women may want to discuss the possibility of having an operation which is less invasive than a conventional abdominal procedure. If her condition allows and after close consultation with her physician, a woman may find that a laparoscopic hysterectomy can be the best solution to her problem.

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Subtotal Hysterectomy Removes Only A Woman’s Uterus Not Her Cervix

A subtotal hysterectomy removes only a woman’s uterus not her cervix. Many women may not even think about the fact that in most cases a woman loses her cervix along with her uterus. While this may not seem vastly important, losing the cervix does have consequences. Therefore, if a woman’s medical condition does not dictate the removal of the cervix, she may want to consider a subtotal hysterectomy.

The cervix is the inch or so long piece of connective tissue which forms the neck of the uterus; it is essentially the protective opening between the vagina and the uterus. Any time a woman chooses to have a vaginal hysterectomy she automatically chooses to have her cervix removed. When the cervix is removed two things may happen: One, the vaginal area may become significantly dryer; two, since the cervical tissue supports many of the pelvic ligaments, the pelvic area may become less stable. After considering these side effects, a woman may want to discuss the possibility of a subtotal hysterectomy with her doctor. A woman considering a subtotal hysterectomy needs to know that since her cervix will remain she remains vulnerable to cervical cancer. Thus, it is imperative that she have pap smears on a schedule prescribed by her gynecologist.

If a woman and her physician decide that a subtotal hysterectomy is appropriate there are generally two methods by which it may be accomplished: An abdominal hysterectomy and the tongue twisting laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. An abdominal hysterectomy generally requires additional time in surgery, a longer hospital stay and a longer post operative recovery period. It also leaves a large scar, although the scar can sometimes be lessened by an artful surgeon. For this reason many women consider the laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy procedure.

A subtotal hysterectomy assisted by a laparoscope (slender optical tube) begins with a small incision below the patient’s navel through which the instrument is inserted. After the surgeon has located and examined the uterus two more small cuts will be made through which additional surgical instruments will be inserted. These tools will be used to cut the uterus, but not the cervix, away from the body. The organ will then be cut into strips small enough to be removed through the previous incisions. Scarring will be limited to the three small cuts made for inserting the needed instruments. Performed in this manner a subtotal hysterectomy requires only slightly more time in surgery than a vaginal hysterectomy. The hospital stay and recuperation time will also be somewhat longer.

A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy can only be used in circumstances where the uterus has not been substantially enlarged by disease. If due to an ailment the uterus has grown too large to be removed via the laparoscopic method an abdominal hysterectomy will be required. The possibility of a laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy turning into an abdominal hysterectomy should be fully discussed with the surgeon prior to the operation.

Loss of the cervix as part of a total hysterectomy may not be of immediate concern to some women. In addition, many women may not want to have an abdominal procedure in order to retain the cervix. However, any time it is medically possible to save a piece of healthy tissue, it should be a matter for consideration. A woman who feels that she would be best served by having her cervix in place should be aware of the subtotal hysterectomy alternative.

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Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy

The Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy is a procedure many women choose to have when deciding to have a hysterectomy. The procedure is one many find is less invasive then the other choices for a hysterectomy.Some doctors refer to the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy as the pain-less hysterectomy.

The supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy is a procedure where tissue is removed from the body through a tiny incision of about 14 mm. The procedure doesn’t require the surgeon to suture and with no stitches required, the healing process for the patient is often easier. Patients seldom need pain medication after the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy because the procedure is so simple.

Doctors find the procedure for this hysterectomy easier to perform and often recommend it above any other hysterectomy for the patient.LSH is used to identify the Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy. The LSH procedure doesn’t require the woman to lose her cervix which seems to be a major concern for many women who need to have a hysterectomy. Naturally, the LSH is not a procedure women with a family history of cervical cancer will consider. There are several advantages to the LSH procedure. These are:

• Shorter hospital stays • Much shorter time in the operating room for the patient • Few side effects or complications during or after the surgery • Same day surgery is often possible • Pain medication is seldom used

Patients who have the LSH procedure normally have discovered their need for a hysterectomy because of ongoing medical problems. The patient may need the LSH because of heavy monthly menstrual periods, ovarian cysts which have become problematic, pain in the pelvic region, endometriosis or fibroids. Thereare a few other medical problems which can be treated through the LSH procedure. If doctors believe they can perform the LSH procedure and cure the problems of the patient, they will try the LSH procedure in lieu ofthe abdominal hysterectomy.

Patients would rather have the LSH procedure rather thanthe abdominal hysterectomy and prefer the recovery time to any other vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy.Women who are considering a hysterectomy should ask their doctor about the Laparoscopic Supracervical hysterectomy. The recovery is almost non-existent and patients can be back to work in a short time. Ask your doctor for an information brochure on the LSH and see if you qualify for the procedure. Not all hysterectomies can be performed this way but if you are a candidate, then this is the best choice for you if you want pain-free and this hysterectomy is as close to pain free as it gets!

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The Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy

The laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy will be discussed and referred to as the LAVH which is something medical professionals often use to term the laparoscopic hysterectomy. This is a procedure for a hysterectomy which is a choice offered to some patients who are in need of a hysterectomy.

This procedure is tedious and involves several different facets. An incision is made in the abdominal wall and then metal tubes called “trocars” are used on the patient to enable something called a laparoscope and other surgical vices to be used in the surgical environment. The devices used, the trocars, are used to help assist the surgeon who can perform the surgery by watching the surgery on a television monitor.

Basically, the LAVH enables the surgeon to look at what needs to be removed and then enables him to remove it vaginally. The surgeon will be able to see what the patient needs to have removed and then he will actually detach this through the abdominal procedure and afterwards remove the tubes and ovaries through the vagina. The surgery does require both abdominal incisions and vaginal removal which will likely mandate incisions as well.

Not all hysterectomies can be done by the LAVH. In fact, because the LAVH can help a patient escape the full abdominal hysterectomy, there are few patients who are offered this hysterectomy as an option.

LAVH can enable the surgery to be performed quicker than a complete hysterectomy but it is very expensive in some cases which can be a problem for patients who do not have insurance. If you are covered by insurance, then check with your doctor about possible complications with having the insurance companies pick up the tab on this procedure. In some cases, the insurance companies will decline coverage on an abdominal hysterectomy while approving the laparoscopic hysterectomy.

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