A wide variety of conditions affect the uterus or womb, such as cancer, fibroids, endometriosis & prolapse. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ which holds and feeds a fertilized egg.
Traditionally, many conditions affecting the uterus are treated with hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus. U.S. doctors perform about 600,000 hysterectomies every year, making it the second most common procedure.
Hysterectomy may offer a life-saving treatment with serious conditions such as cancer or uncontrollable bleeding. In most cases, however, hysterectomy is an elective procedure performed to relieve chronic pain, bleeding or other disabling conditions. These may be caused by:
The Treatment: Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy can sometimes be performed through the vagina. However, when the uterus is enlarged - for example, from fibroids or cancer - an abdominal hysterectomy is preferable. Theis requires a 6-12 inch incision. In some cases, doctors also remove the ovaries because they are thought to release hormones contributing to the condition.
While hysterectomy is relatively safe, it may not be appropriate or necessary for all individuals or conditions. Alternative treatments that can preserve the uterus and ovaries may be available. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
da Vinci S Surgical System - Changing the Experience of Gynecologic Surgery
