Synonym
Synonym: Hysterectomy (from the Greek “hyster” = uterus and “ectomy” = excision)
Definition
The uterus plays an important role in the body of a young woman, in the uterus itself the child grows up during pregnancy. Its mucous membrane is controlled by hormones of the appendages (ovaries). The ovaries control menstruation and enable pregnancy by producing eggs.
After menopause, however, the uterus loses its function and is more important for the woman as an “identity organ”. Depending on the condition, it may be necessary to remove the uterus. This can be due to benign or malignant diseases. Also, uterus removal is not the same as uterus removal, because there are different possibilities of surgery, as well as removal with or without ovaries.
General information
The removal of the uterus (also called hysterectomy in medicine) is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and possibly also the “appendages”, i.e. ovaries, are removed. There are various surgical techniques, including Your gynaecologist will recommend one of these surgical variants, depending on your condition. After the operation, you should not exert yourself physically for some time.
During the first four weeks, you can go for a walk to get your circulation going or to keep it going, if you feel fit enough. Depending on the surgical method, sports can be started again after 2-3 months. It is best to discuss with your doctor how best to continue.
Information about special training sessions after a hysterectomy can be found here: Abdominal muscle training after uterus removal
- Removal through the vagina (vaginal hyterectomy, where the ovaries cannot be removed).
- It is a rather “gentle” method, no visible scars are left behind, pain is less than with an abdominal incision and the patient recovers quite quickly.
- Removal by laparoscopy (laparoscopic hysterectomy),
- Also a rather small operation, in which only a few small incisions are made in the abdomen and the uterus is operated out with instruments, so-called “keyhole surgery”.
- The removal of the uterus by combining the two above mentioned options (“laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy” LAVH)
- The possibility through an abdominal incision (laparotomy). Mostly used in cases of cancer or when the ovaries have to be removed as well. A horizontal incision of a few centimeters is usually made in the lower abdomen. The advantage of this variant is the large field of vision for the surgeon. However, this procedure causes greater pain for the women and it takes longer for the patient to be fit again.