Hysterectomy Options

Have you been given a diagnosis that warrants a hysterectomy as your only treatment option? Are you aware that there are several different options that may be available to you for this surgery? If you are in the area of northern New Jersey, Dr. Shakiba of Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey may be able to help you.

Hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus via surgery, and it is a widely performed operation that can solve many ailments, including uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding of the uterus, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, and cancer. Hysterectomies are so routinely performed, they remain the second most common type of surgery performed on women, after C-section deliveries. Hysterectomies are indicated as a method treatment for a wide array of conditions, however, it remains a major type of surgery, and it does come with its own set of risks. Before undergoing a hysterectomy, it is wise to understand what your options are, as well as what types of treatments are available to you.

Here is a look at several different types of hysterectomies, and what you should know about them:

Total Hysterectomy

In a total hysterectomy, the whole uterus is removed as well as the cervix. Additionally, in a total radical hysterectomy, which is often done in the event of treating cancer, the uterus, along with its supporting structures get removed.

Supracervical Hysterectomy

In a supracervical hysterectomy, only the upper section of the uterus gets removed, while the cervix remains in its place.

Options for How Hysterectomies Are Performed

There are several ways that hysterectomies can be performed. A variety of factors will play into one’s options for a hysterectomy, and these will include overall health, why the surgery is needed, and which option may work best for each patient. Having a physician you feel comfortable with and confident in their abilities is a foremost necessity.

• Vaginal Hysterectomy: In some cases, it may be an option to have a hysterectomy performed vaginally, which avoids the surgical/ invasive nature of an abdominal incision. This method allows for a shorter hospital stay, along with a faster return to daily activities. As a result of not having an incision, there is a much lesser likelihood of post-surgical infection.
• Abdominal Hysterectomy: In this manner of hysterectomy, an incision is made through the abdomen, either vertically or horizontally, in order to remove the uterus. In this type of surgery, the surgeon will have a first-hand perspective of the uterus and nearby organs. Abdominal hysterectomy is considered to be very invasive, and it comes with a longer healing time than other methods of hysterectomy.
• Robotic Hysterectomy: This type of hysterectomy involves the use of a laparoscope and the da Vinci ® surgical system during the surgery, and through very small incisions, it is performed. The laparoscope contains a small tube with a light attached, along with a camera. During the surgery, imagery from the camera appears on an HD screen, enabling the surgeon to have a clear view. Due to the small incisions, robotic hysterectomy comes with a lesser risk of complications, along with a faster healing time.

In the event you have been told you need to have a hysterectomy done, it is important you understand your options. Many people automatically assume the standard abdominal hysterectomy is their only option, but that is not always the case. If you are located in the Hackensack, New Jersey/ North Jersey area, contact Dr. Shakiba of Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey today to schedule a consultation. While an evaluation is necessary to assess each case individually, you may be eligible for a robotic-assisted hysterectomy or vaginal hysterectomy.

The office of Dr. Shakiba can be contacted at:
Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey, LLC
211 Essex Street, Suite 402
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Telephone: (201)- 301-2772
Fax: (551)-313-8274