MEDICAL EXIGENCY FOR HYSTERETOMY: WHEN SURGERY BECOMES INEVITABLE

Female reproductive and uterine health has been a matter of serious concern for women since time immemorial. Despite the increased level of awareness among women, there are still unfortunate incidences where women have to part with their uterus for medical reasons. Uterine problems are frequent in women of the age group 40 to 50 years of age and in women during or after menopause.

A hysterectomy surgery becomes necessary when the uterus poses a threat to the life of a woman. A hysterectomy involves surgery to remove the uterus.

WHY DOCTORS ADVICE A HYSTERECTOMY

There are various reasons, and sometimes multiple reasons, to have the uterus removed. A hysterectomy surgery is unavoidable if the patient is diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:

  • Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas: unusual heavy bleeding, chronic pain and other problems.
  • Uterine prolapse: the uterus lowering from its normal position into the vaginal canal.
  • Endometriosis: uterine tissues growing outside the uterus (in the ovaries, intestines, and fallopian tubes).
  • Adenomyosis/Hyperplasia: endometrial tissue grows into the uterus and causes thickening of its wall.
  • Uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancer.

In the case of cancer, a hysterectomy is a must. In all other cases, hysterectomy is the last option recommended by a doctor after different treatments fail to improve a patient’s condition.

TYPES OF HYSTERECTOMY

  • Supra-cervical/subtotal hysterectomy: the upper part of the uterus is removed. The cervix is left untouched.
  • Complete hysterectomy: total removal of the uterus as well as the cervix.
  • Radical hysterectomy: usually performed on cancer patients. It is the removal of the uterus and the surrounding tissues, the cervix, and the upper vagina. Ovaries might also be removed along with fallopian tubes.

Two approaches to hysterectomy surgery are followed: traditional/open surgery, and surgery done via a minimally invasive procedure or MIP. The MIPinvolves 4 types of hysterectomy: Vaginal, Laparoscopic, Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, and Robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy.

The most difficult decision that women must make if they want to live a healthy life in the future is to have a hysterectomy.

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