What is hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of your uterus. Depending on your needs, Dr. Shoman may remove your ovaries and Fallopian tubes as well. Once you have a hysterectomy, you no longer get menstrual periods and can’t become pregnant.
Why would I need a hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy may be the last resort in treating gynecologic conditions that don’t improve with conservative therapies.
Uterine fibroids are the most common reason women get hysterectomies. Other reasons you may need a hysterectomy include:
- Uterine prolapse
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Endometriosis
Cancers of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, or endometrium may also require hysterectomy for treatment.
What is a minimally invasive hysterectomy?
Traditional, open hysterectomy involves making a large incision across your abdomen to remove the uterus. Dr. Shoman specializes in minimally invasive surgery, which requires much smaller incisions.
Minimally invasive hysterectomy uses an instrument called a laparoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a light and lens at the end. Dr. Shoman makes a tiny incision, about the size of a buttonhole, and inserts the instrument.
The laparoscope projects magnified images of your pelvic organs onto a screen, so Dr. Shoman can diagnose and treat conditions without damaging healthy tissue. Using laparoscopy, he can remove your uterus through small incisions in your abdomen, or through your vagina.
What is robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy?
Dr. Shoman utilizes state-of-the-art techniques, including the da Vinci® robot, to perform surgeries. This technique uses a robotic arm to execute precise movements a human wrist would be incapable of making. Don’t worry -- Dr. Shoman is 100% in control of the robot at all times.
What are the benefits of a minimally invasive hysterectomy?
Both laparoscopy and robotic surgery remove your uterus through much smaller incisions than traditional surgery. This leads to numerous advantages over open surgery, such as:
- Less pain
- Less scarring
- Less blood loss
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery time
- Lower complication rate
- Reduced risk of infection
Assistance with the da Vinci robot also reduces the risk of needing to switch to open surgery during the procedure.
To learn more about your options for minimally invasive hysterectomy, call or book an appointment online.
