Partial Hysterectomy Procedures
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in women that involves the removal of all or part of the uterus. Some hysterectomies involve not only the removal of the uterus, but also the cervix. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines a total hysterectomy as the removal of the uterus and the cervix, while a partial hysterectomy (also known as a "supracervical hysterectomy") is when only the upper portion of the uterus is removed, but not the cervix. The NIH indicates that the various methods of performing partial and total hysterectomies are identical.
Abdominal Partial Hysterectomy
In abdominal partial hysterectomy procedures, a five to seven inch incision is made by the surgeon just above the pubic hairline. The skin and muscle tissue are cut, and the upper portion of the uterus is removed. The NIH estimates the recovery time of this procedure to be four to six weeks.
Vaginal Partial Hysterectomy
In a vaginal partial hysterectomy procedure, an incision is made inside the vagina, and the upper section of the uterus is removed through the incision. The incision is then closed with stitches. The NIH estimates the recovery time of this procedure to be three to four weeks, less than an abdominal procedure due to less muscle tissue being cut.
Laparoscopic Partial Hysterectomy
A laparoscope is a small tube with a built-in camera that is inserted into an incision. In a laparoscopic partial hysterectomy, three to four small incisions are made in the abdomen and the laparoscope is inserted. The surgeon is then able to view the surgical area on a video monitor and cut the uterus into small pieces that are removed through the incisions. The Mayo Clinic estimates recovery time for this procedure to be one to two weeks.
Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Partial Hysterectomy
Like a laparoscopic partial hysterectomy, two to three incisions are made the abdomen in a laparoscopically assisted vaginal partial hysterectomy. However, instead of cutting the uterus into smaller pieces and removing it through the incisions, it is removed whole through the vagina. The Mayo Clinic estimates recovery time of this procedure to be one to two weeks.
Robotic Surgery for Partial Hysterectomy
The da Vinci Surgical System is a minimally invasive robotic surgery procedure developed by a company called Intuitive Surgery in Sunnyvale, California. This method is currently being used to perform partial hysterectomies by making a series of small incisions instead of a large six to twelve inch incision common with typical abdominal procedures. The robot consists of miniaturized wristed instruments that are controlled by the surgeon, who is seated at a console that provides detailed 3-D images of the surgical area. The surgeon controls all movements, and the company states that the robot does not make independent decisions. The Mayo Clinic estimates recovery time of this procedure to be one to two weeks.
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