The New Hysterectomies
Countless women suffer each month from excessive and unpredictable bleeding due to fibroids. They also experience difficulty urinating. Yet despite the debilitating pain, most of these women avoid a recommended hysterectomy for as long as possible. They fear the prominent abdominal scar, as well as the painful, extended recovery associated with traditional abdominal hysterectomy.

Fortunately, there are now safe, effective alternatives to the traditional abdominal hysterectomy.Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH), Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy (TLH) and Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) can be less painful, produce less scarring and require a shorter recovery time than the traditional hysterectomy.  Robotic Hysterectomy is generally reserved for more complicated cases that in the past had to undergo open abdominal procedures.

How do these minimally invasive hysterectomies work? Each involves general or regional anesthesia and uses laparoscopy to remove the uterus, allowing the cervix to remain attached. During the LSH procedure, a laparoscope (thin lighted telescope) and small surgical instruments are inserted through several tiny incisions in the navel and abdomen. (In SILS, there is only one small incision.) Using these instruments, the surgeon is able to carefully separate the uterus from the cervix and then remove it through one of the small incisions. LSH can be an outpatient procedure, though most women go home within 24 hours. They’re able to resume normal activities within 7 days, and their scars are usually barely visible. Ask Dr. Brown or Dr. McCool if you’re a candidate for LSH, TLH or SILS.