Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
However, it was only in 1988 in Pennsylvania when the first hysterectomy surgery was performed using a laparoscope.
The Laparoscope
A laparoscope makes it possible for the hysterectomy procedure to be minimally invasive. This instrument is a very small camera that is inserted into the patient's body and that enables the surgeon to look at the patient's internal organs while performing the surgery.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, Defined
A laparoscopic hysterectomy enables the gynecologist to remove the patient's uterus, ovaries, or cervix through very small abdominal incisions that are about as big as a quarter of an inch. The cervix may be kept. This procedure is an alternative to an abdominal hysterectomy. In addition, the laparoscope can be used before the surgery to determine if the ovaries must be removed or not.
The development of laparoscopic hysterectomy greatly enhances the experience of hysterectomy patients. Hysterectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the US.
The following are some of the advantages that a laparoscopic hysterectomy has over an abdominal hysterectomy:
* Hospital stay is reduced from a few days to a few hours.
* There is decreased pain after the surgery and decreased necessity for medicines.
* Recovery is speedier.
* Smaller abdominal incisions and scars
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Techniques
The following are the three techniques used in performing a laparoscopic hysterectomy: Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH); Laparoscopic Subtotal Hysterectomy; and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH).
Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH).
A vaginal hysterectomy may be a better option over an abdominal hysterectomy because unlike the latter, a vaginal hysterectomy makes it possible for the patient to recover faster, shorten the hospital stay, and feel less pain.
Certain pelvic conditions like pelvic adhesions from previous abdominal infections or surgeries, endometriosis, and pelvic masses among others may make it impossible for a vaginal hysterectomy to be performed without the use of a laparoscope. By using a laparoscope, the doctor to look inside the patient's abdomen. This also enables the doctor to safely remove the uterus through the vagina. The laparoscope and trocars are inserted into the patient's body through tiny incisions on the abdomen.
Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH).
This technique is performed by a gynecologist who has advanced sills in using the laparoscope. The doctor removes a very large uterus through the vagina and also uses the laparoscope in closing the vaginal cuff.
Although a laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy would need very small incisions about less than half an inch, the doctor is able to reduce the size of a very large uterus by using a morcellator while the uterus s still inside the body. This makes it possible for the uterus to then be removed through the vagina.
Being minimally invasive, some advantages that a laparoscopally assisted hysterectomy has over the traditional abdominal hysterectomy are shorter recover period and reduced pain.
Laparoscopic Subtotal Hysterectomy.
This type of hysterectomy can be performed only in women who have never suffered from cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cervical cells (cervical dysplasia). This procedure is used for removing the uterus when the cervix does not have to be removed. Also known as laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, this procedure is performed by severing the uterus from the cervix. The uterus is then reduced in size using a morcellator and later removed in pieces from the patient's body through small abdominal incisions. The cervix and vagina are kept intact.
