Sometimes complex and neglected diseases must be treated promptly. This is an extreme measure, and doctors go to it only with a serious need, when other methods of treatment do not help. One of these operations - removal (amputation), or extirpation of the uterus. It is also called the term "hysterectomy".
Indications for extirpation of the uterus
Surgery for the removal of the uterus is carried out if the patient has the following diseases:
- malignant tumor of cervix, uterus or ovary;
- endometriosis and adenomyosis;
- large uterine myoma ;
- fibrosis of the uterus;
- other diseases of the female reproductive system, in which there are serious violations of the menstrual cycle, severe bleeding, pain, and severe inflammatory processes.
Also, the operation for the extirpation of the uterus is performed by a woman under surgical sex changes.
Types of hysterectomy
This operation is performed by various methods depending on the disease that caused the need for it, and some other factors (the age and physique of a woman, the presence of a child in an anamnesis, etc.). So, according to the method of execution, the hysterectomy can be:
- vaginal;
- laparoscopic;
- laparatomicheskoy (open).
By the form of extirpation, the uterus is distinguished:
- removal of the uterus along with the neck;
- removal of the uterus, in which the cervix is preserved;
- removal of the uterus with all the appendages (tubes, ovaries);
- radical extirpation (complete removal of the entire system).
That is, for example, if a patient is prescribed vaginal extirpation of the uterus without appendages, this means that access to the uterus will be provided through the vagina, and only the organ without ovaries and fallopian tubes will be removed.
The course of the operation for the extirpation of the uterus
Operation of any type to remove the uterus is under general anesthesia. When extirpation using the method of laparoscopy, several small incisions of the peritoneum are made and the necessary manipulations are made through them. If it is a laparotomy, then one large transverse incision is made on the lower abdomen, then it crosses the uterine ligaments, stops the bleeding of the vessels, cuts the uterine body from the vaginal walls and removes the organ.
With vaginal extirpation, doctors first disinfect the vagina, then make a deep incision of the upper part (and if necessary make additional incisions on the side), pull the body of the uterus and cut off the necessary. Then lateral incisions are sewn, leaving only a hole for drainage.
Consequences of extirpation of the uterus and possible complications after surgery
Among the consequences of a successful operation, the following can be noted:
- the patient will no longer be able to become pregnant;
- menopause usually occurs earlier for several years;
- the symptoms of the disease, whose treatment was the removal of the uterus, gradually disappear until the full recovery.
However, sometimes after surgery, complications occur, for example, the postoperative suture becomes inflamed, bleeding stops, etc. This occurs most often after a cavitary operation. Doctors must monitor these moments and respond to them in time.
Recovery after hysterectomy
Female body after the extirpation of the uterus returns to its normal state within a half to two months. Initially, the patient after the operation for the extirpation of the uterus may be troubled by blood discharge from the genital tract, difficulty with urination, soreness of the suture, mood swings associated with hormonal changes.
As for the sexual life after the extirpation of the uterus, it is quite possible already in 2-3 months after the operation. Here it can be noted that there is no need to protect against unwanted pregnancy, and from the minuses - a possible decrease in sexual desire, some soreness in the first sexual intercourse. However, for each woman this is individual.