• Uterine fibroids that cause heavy bleeding and pain during menses.
• Uterine prolapse, where the uterus prolapses down into the vaginal canal.
• Cancer of the uterus, tubes or ovaries
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Endometrial Hyperplasia
• Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Endometrial Polyps
• Adenomyosis or a thickening of the uterus

Types of Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy can either be total or subtotal depending on the amount of tissue removed

• A supracervial or subtotal hysterectomy removes only the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.
• A total hysterectomyremoves the whole uterus and cervix.

Depending on the indication of hysterectomy, the surgeon may remove the entire uterus, both tubes, and both ovaries, which is then known as total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy.

Surgical Techniques for Hysterectomy:

• Open or Abdominal Hysterectomy-

This is the most commonly done hysterectomy. Around 10 cm – 15 cm incision is given in the belly. The uterus is then removed through this incision.

Following an abdominal hysterectomy, women require around 2-3 days of hospital stay. They may experience pain in the stitch line for a few days. Recovery after open surgeries is slower than thay in laparoscopic surgeries.

• Vaginal hysterectomy:Here the uterus is removed through an opening made in the vagina. This technique is specially important in women who are undergoing hysterectomy for prolapse.
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy:This surgery is done using a laparoscope, which is a thin tube with a light and camera. Surgical instruments are inserted through other small cuts made in the belly. This is a minimally invasive technique of hysterectomy. Laparoscopic surgeries involve faster recovery with fewer complications.

Risks of Hysterectomy

Most people who get a hysterectomy have no serious problems or complications after the surgery. Few less common complications include:

• Blood Loss
• Infection
• Injury to surrounding organs
• Vault Prolapse