Complications | Surgical removal of the uterus

Complications

In the course of uterine surgery, as with all operations, various complications can occur. In the case of hysterectomy, wound healing disorders and the development of inflammatory processes are to be expected. Due to the tight anatomical position of the pelvic organs, the intestine, ureter and/or bladder can be injured during uterine surgery.

In addition, as with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of secondary bleeding, which may require a second operation. In many of the affected patients, the occurrence of a urinary tract infection can be observed after the uterus surgery. Other risks of uterine surgery are the development of pain, weakness, fatigue and exhaustion. These symptoms can persist for weeks and months even after a successful operation. In addition, scar fractures, adhesions and signs of vaginal prolapse are typical risks of uterine surgery.

Consequences

Before the decision is made to perform a complete removal of the uterus, it should be noted that a hysterectomy irrevocably terminates the woman’s ability to bear children.When the uterus is removed completely, the lining of the uterus is lost and menstrual bleeding no longer occurs. Only in the subtotal uterine surgery variants where the cervix is left in place, slight cyclical bleeding may occur. Even if the fallopian tubes and ovaries do not have to be removed in addition to the uterus, the affected patient can be expected to enter the menopause much earlier.

The reason for this seems to be the decreasing blood flow to the ovaries after removal of the uterus. In addition, extensive sexual changes can occur after such a uterus operation. Some of the affected patients report a reduced orgasm sensation after the operation.

In addition, in some cases there may be a noticeable shortening and dryness of the vagina. The sexual desire can also be significantly reduced after a uterus operation (loss of libido).