A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure whereby the uterus (womb) is removed. Hysterectomy is the most common non-obstetrical procedure of women in the United States.
Why a hysterectomy is sometimes needed
Each year 600,000 women in the United States undergo hysterectomies to treat a range of conditions. A hysterectomy is most commonly performed because of uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, or uterine prolapse. Approximately 10% of hysterectomy procedures are performed due to cancer.
Uterine fibroids (also known as uterine leiomyomata) are benign growths of the uterus than can cause excessive bleeding and these are by far the most common reason a hysterectomy is performed.
Matlock OB/GYN is on the leading edge of minimally invasive surgery and offers the Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) and Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (LH), major advances that offer easier recovery and patient convenience.
LSH Outpatient Hysterectomy
For women requiring a hysterectomy, Matlock OB/GYN physicians are skilled in various techniques, including special expertise not often found in a general practice for this outpatient hysterectomy method. Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) is a less invasive and more “body friendly” alternative to other methods that uses laparoscopic techniques to remove the uterus while leaving the cervix intact. LSH is performed on an outpatient basis, reducing costs from inpatient hospital stays, and has an average recovery period of less than two weeks.
The procedure is performed with three small incisions in the abdomen and using a laparoscope (long thin camera), the surgeon separates the uterus from the cervix. The uterus is then removed in pieces, using a technique called morcellization.
The procedure takes usually less than an hour, and most patients will return home the same day. The pain from this procedure is considerably less than traditional hysterectomy. The post-op recovery is also significantly less. Most patients return to work within two to three weeks.
The LSH is performed for a variety of conditions including: fibroid uterus, menorrhagia (heavy periods), dysmenorrheal (painful periods), pelvic prolapse.
Only a physician can determine if this procedure is the right choice for you.