Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It is done in women who have abnormal bleeding not responding to treatments, large fibroids, adenomyosis or abnormalities in cervix like cervical dysplasia. Traditionally, hysterectomy was done with 'open' surgery which involved a 15 cm cut in the abdomen. This required hospital stay of up to a week, was comparatively painful and complete recovery took 4 to 6 weeks. There would be a cosmetically unsightful scar and risk of infection and later hernia at scar site. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the uterus. A small incision is made in the navel through which a tiny camera is inserted. The surgeon watches the image from this camera on a TV monitor while performing the procedure. Two to three other tiny incisions are made in the lower abdomen. Through these, specialized instruments are inserted and used for the removal process.

What are the advantages of laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery?

A laparoscopic hysterectomy requires only a few small incisions, compared to a traditional abdominal hysterectomy which is done through a 5-6 inch incision. As a result, there is less blood loss, less scarring, and less post-operative pain. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is usually done as an outpatient procedure whereas a traditional hysterectomy usually requires a 2-3 day hospital stay. The recovery period for this laparoscopic procedure is 1-2 weeks, compared with 4-6 weeks after a traditional hysterectomy.

The risks of blood loss and infection are lower with laparoscopic hysterectomy than with abdominal hysterectomy. In experienced hands, laparoscopic hysterectomy takes about the same length of time as abdominal hysterectomy and involves no greater risk.