Hysterectomy Procedure, Types of Hysterectomy

There are four primary types of hysterectomy. There are partial, total, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and radical hysterectomies. Deciding what hysterectomy procedure is appropriate will depend on the patient and her individual needs. In addition, a hysterectomy may be done through the abdomen or through the vagina depending on the situation. A hysterectomy is the removal of a woman’s uterus and sometimes other organs related to reproduction. The end result of a hysterectomy is that a woman will no longer be able to get pregnant, but also that many gynecological problems may be resolved.

A hysterectomy procedure is done in the hospital as an inpatient. Recovery time will be dependent on the procedure done and whether there are any other complications. The uterus is detached from the body in a partial hysterectomy. In the case of a total hysterectomy the uterus and the cervix will be removed. On occasion, the hysterectomy procedure will involve removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This is called a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A radical hysterectomy involves the removal of all the sex organs including a portion of the vagina, connecting tissue and lymph nodes (Mayo Clinic).

When it is determined that a hysterectomy procedure is necessary, the physician will perform the vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. There are two types of incisions associated with an abdominal hysterectomy. The incision can run horizontal or vertical. The vertical incision runs from under the navel to slightly above the pubic bone. The second commonly used type of incision, the horizontal incision (Pfannenstiel incision) runs across the abdomen about an inch above the pubic bone. The vaginal hysterectomy involves the physician gaining access to the uterus through the vagina and cervix. This approach has less scarring and a shorter healing period than the abdominal hysterectomy procedure, but the doctor doesn’t have as much room to work or as good of a view of other organs in the reproductive system.

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