Hysterectomy refers to the surgical procedure that involves removal of woman’s uterus. Total hysterectomy refers to the removal of the entire uterus and the cervix while partial hysterectomy involves removal of on the uterus’s upper part. This is one of the most emotive medical procedures. A woman would naturally want to retain her reproductive organs until and after menopause. However, certain conditions in life can necessitate carrying out these surgical procedures. These conditions include ailments such as ovarian or cervical cancer, fibroids, or injuries to the uterus or cervix.
The surgical procures may also be considered if there is excessive vaginal bleeding after child birth or if uterine fibroids cause unbearable pain at the lower abdomen. Sometimes, the procedure can also be considered for combating medical conditions such as uterine prolapsed, medical condition in which the uterus slips into the virginal canal. Other conditions that may require total or partial hysterectomy include adenomyosis(a condition characterized by thickening of the uterus), ovarian cysts, chronic pelvic pain, or endometriosis that causes recurring, sever pelvic pains.
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Many people have sough to analyse partial hysterectomy Vs total hysterectomy with regard to various factors such as recovery time, risks, and side effects. Hysterectomy can be performed abdominally or vaginally. The duration of procedure can take any time between one to three hours depending on the nature and type of complaint. In most cases, abdominal; procedure is adopted whereby the surgeon makes incision through the abdomen and then detaches uterus from the blood supply and its ligaments.
Although the abdominal procedure takes longer time of recovery than the vagina, it is recommended and preferred by surgeons because it provides better and clearer view of the reproductive systems. If the fibroids are large in size, abdominal incision is the only option. Vaginal procedure is only considered if the condition is not severe and in any case, laparoscope must be used so as to provide better view of the uterus through the female genitalia. The advantage of the virginal procedures is that its recovery time is shorter and there are no visible scars that are left as is the case with abdominal procedure. In both procedures, the patient must be put under local or general aesthesia so as to numb the pain.
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Both the total and partial hysterectomies are associated with some certain side effects. Factors such as obesity, aging, and smoking can aggravate complications after successful procedure. The common total as well as partial hysterectomyside effects include oosteoporosis,mood swings,weakness and nausea,decreased sex drive,urinal tract problems,constipation,pelvic pain,hot flashes, dry vagina, night sweats, excessive weight gain, frequent headaches, irritability, blockages in bowels, vaginal prolapsed, blood clot in lungs, etc.
Dysuria (experience of pain when urinating), reactions to anesthetic medications, damage to organs, and excessive bleeding have also been reported. In the absence of medication or proper hygiene, there is also the risk of re-infection of the surgical wound. As regards recovery time, it may take some several weeks for the patient to recover after hysterectomy. On average it takes 6 to 8 weeks for full recovery. In general, partial hysterectomy is preferred to total hysterectomy but some certain conditions such as severe fibroids may necessitate the latter to former.
