What is a Partial Hysterectomy?

There are two different types of hysterectomies. The first type is called a complete hysterectomy and the second is a partial hysterectomy. A doctor will decide which hysterectomy is right for you and should be able to tell you the advantages and disadvantages of each.

A partial hysterectomy involves removing only the upper part of the uterus. The top portion of the uterus is removed in a partial hysterectomy. Patients find the recuperation for both the complete hysterectomy and the partial hysterectomy is very similar.

Partial hysterectomies entail leaving the cervix in place and naturally, if your doctor thinks you are at risk for cervical cancer, this will not be an option for you because your doctor will likely prefer a complete hysterectomy.

Recovery from a hysterectomy is much like that after child birth. You will need to get up and get moving as soon as you can after the surgery. Lying around can promote blood clots and further complications. Just because you have a partial hysterectomy, don’t take this as an opportunity to continue on bed rest. It is very important for you to become active as quickly as possible after surgery. Check with your doctor to see what he or she recommends for you.

After a partial hysterectomy, you’ll be able to resume your normal activities. Your diet should not be a problem and you’ll find you can still eat normally.
Your stitches should be completely dissolved by the time you meet with your doctor for your six week check-up after your surgery. Find out more information from your doctor for more information. They’ll tell you what to expect from your partial hysterectomy and will hopefully be able to answer all of your questions.

A partial hysterectomy should never be taken lightly. Seek medical advice. Learn what you can from other women and seek information out on the internet. Becoming informed will help you feel better about the procedure.

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Omfg! Rare Sighting! Ovulation! Caught On Camera!
Ovulation made an surprise appearance on camera during a partial hysterectomy recently. Supposedly these are the clearest pictures to date of ovulation since it is so damn tricky to catch in the act. Scientists were a. surprised that …

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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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Supracervical Hysterectomy Allows A Woman To Keep Her Cervix Intact

Supracervical hysterectomy allows a woman to keep her cervix intact when the decision has been made to remove her uterus. Many women may not think about the fact that a vaginal hysterectomy takes the cervix out at the same time that the uterus is removed. Even if they do think about it most women won’t be aware of the reasons they may want to preserve this piece of connective tissue.

What is the cervix and what purpose does it serve?

The cervix links the uterus to the vagina. It is about an inch long and can be felt by inserting a finger into the vaginal canal. The cervix performs two functions: One, it helps to lubricate the vaginal area; two, it provides support for a wide variety of pelvic ligaments.

Why would a woman want to avoid having her cervix removed?

Any time the loss of a useful piece of body tissue can be avoided, it should be avoided. While a woman can get along without a cervix she may notice significantly dryer vaginal tissue after its loss. Losing her cervix may also destabilize the pelvic area. For these reasons if there is no evidence of cervical disease, a woman may want to discuss a supracervical hysterectomy with her physician.

How is a supracervical hysterectomy performed?

A supracervical hysterectomy proceeds through the abdomen. An incision is made, the uterus is cut away from the body and the cervix is not. While the operation may sound simple, it is not. Any form of hysterectomy is major surgery. An abdominal hysterectomy requires more time in the operating room, a slightly longer hospital stay and a somewhat longer rehabilitation period. It will also leave abdominal scars; for these reasons many women may avoid having an abdominal hysterectomy. In fact, the possibility of operating through the abdomen in order to save the cervix may never even be discussed with a woman if she simply asks her doctor about the easiest way to remove her uterus.

A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is an alternative which a woman may want to consider. The doctor utilizes a laparoscope (a thin optical tube) inserted through a small abdominal incision to view the pelvic cavity. The surgeon will then insert other slender surgical instruments through two additional small cuts. These instruments will be used to cut the uterus, but not the cervix, from the body and to shred it into pieces small enough to be pulled out through the incisions. The time in surgery, the time in the hospital and the recovery time are all only slightly longer than those required by a vaginal hysterectomy. Scarring is limited to the sites of the three incisions.

After research and consultation with her doctor, a woman may decide that keeping her cervix is the appropriate course of action in her particular circumstance; if so, she will elect to have some sort of supracervical hysterectomy. Any woman who chooses this route should be aware that by not removing her cervix she remains vulnerable to cervical cancer. It is, therefore, of prime importance that she continues to have regular pap smears.

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