A complete or partial hysterectomy aims to treat many disorders that affect the uterus, such as: uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and benign myoma.
Many women may have a hysterectomy to prevent pregnancy in women who do not want to become pregnant, or to avoid developing malignant tumors in women who are more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Hysterectomy is performed by laparoscopy in most cases, and it may be done through an open surgery, where the abdomen is opened by making a large incision, and then the uterus and other reproductive organs are removed, if malignant tumors are suspected.
Risks of performing the operation
Hysterectomy is associated with many risks and complications, such as the following
Infection in the surgical incision.
bleeding.
Scars in the incision area.
Severe in blood pressure.
Damage to some nearby organs, such as: the intestine, the uterine wall, and the ureter.
Before the hysterectomy
Before performing a hysterectomy, which aims to prevent pregnancy, a prior meeting should be held with the patient, in order for the doctor to ascertain the extent to which she is aware of the fact that she is unable to have children. In addition, the patient is sent for pre-examinations according to her age and the diseases she suffers from.
Many tests must be done, such as: a complete blood count, blood chemistry examination, including signs of tumors, blood clotting, kidney function, urine examination, and a cervical cancer screening using ultrasound, and in some cases a test is needed. Computed tomography.
The doctor should be consulted about the medications that should be discontinued in the days preceding the operation, and the patient should fast completely for 8 hours before the operation.
during operation
After complete anesthesia, the operation is performed and the mechanism varies based on the method used as follows:
laparoscopic surgery
Where the abdominal area is sterilized, then 3 small incisions are made next to the navel, and in two additional sites to be chosen according to the type of operation, then a laparoscope is ed through it and the abdominal cavity is inflated by introducing gas through the holes in order to see the abdominal organs better, after that some Surgical instruments through holes for hysterectomy.
open hysterectomy
A long incision is made in the lower abdominal wall to reach the pelvic cavity, then the uterus is located and separated from the blood vessels that supply it with blood in addition to the ligaments that connect it to the pelvic walls, then the uterus is removed, and the upper wall of the vagina is sutured, and the process takes approximately one to two hours Depending on the type of surgery.
post operation
The patient must be monitored for 24 - 48 hours after the operation to ensure the stability of the condition, and the sutures are usually removed after about a week.
Pain relievers can be used as needed, and it is normal for some vaginal bleeding to occur, which stops with time.
You should go to the doctor as soon as possible if some symptoms appear, such as: high body temperature, inability to urinate, shortness of breath, heavy bleeding, and purulent secretions.
