Hysterectomy is a minimally invasive procedure and is divided into sub-types such as abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy and laparoscopic surgery. Out of all these sub-types, laparoscopic hysterectomy is the most preferred one as it does not involve much cutting of tissues, is less painful and chances of infection are significantly reduced.
Hysterectomy is a scientific name given to surgical procedure of uterus removal. Uterus can be removed in various scenarios like cancer of uterus and ovary, uterine fibroids, heavy vaginal bleeding etc.
In laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure, laparoscope is inserted into the uterus by making 3-4 small incisions on abdominal region. Laparoscope is flexible, thin tube to which high resolution camera and high intensity light is attached at its front part. With the help of camera and light, doctor is able to view and examine uterus clearly. This helps in diagnosing any tumors or blockages present in uterus. The procedure takes approximately 120 minutes for completion.
Patient may need to use sanitary pads for few days post surgery because there will be vaginal discharge and bleeding. This may continue for few weeks; however, it is nothing to worry about. Also, lifting of heavy objects and doing intense physical exercise is restricted for few weeks after the surgery. It is better to consult with your doctor if you feel uncomfortable or experience too much bleeding and abdominal pain consistently for few days.
In laparoscopic hysterectomy, recovery time is significantly reduced as compared to abdominal hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy. Also, there are less visible scars. Hence, laparoscopic hysterectomy is the most preferred type and is usually recommended by doctors.