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Abdominal Hysterectomy
Written by Sarah Johnson   
Monday, 08 February 2010 09:50
There are certain medical conditions where it is necessary to remove a woman's uterus or other reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix. An abdominal hysterectomy is the surgery for performing this, and it involves incising a woman's abdomen.
by SarahJohnson


There are certain medical conditions where it is necessary to remove a woman's uterus or other reproductive organs such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix. An abdominal hysterectomy is the surgery for performing this, and it involves incising a woman's abdomen.

A woman stops menstruating after undergoing this procedure. This, in turn, makes her unable to bear children. The surgery won't affect her sexual life and she can even do without contraceptives. It's not true that the woman looks more aged after the surgery or that the surgery leaves the abdomen empty, as the bowels take the place of the removed organs.

For some women, a hysterectomy surgery alone is enough to treat their medical conditions. However, there are some conditions where further treatment may be required.

Classifications of Abdominal Hysterectomy

An abdominal hysterectomy may be performed through any of the following methods: total, total with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and subtotal.

When only the uterus needs to be removed and the cervix can be kept, a subtotal abdominal hysterectomy is performed. This procedure can be performed more quickly than a total hysterectomy and also involves less risks of damaging other organs. In addition, the procedure poses less chance for vaginal prolapse, fever, and blood loss. With the patient recovering faster, prolonged hospital stays are not necessary. Spotting, however, can occur due to the endometrial tissue that remained in the endometrial canal. Since the cervix is not removed, the woman also remains exposed to the risk of cancer.

The removal of the ovaries and the fallopian tubes along with the uterus and the cervix is known as a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A total abdominal hysterectomy is when only the uterus and cervix are removed.

Medical Conditions that Require Abdominal Hysterectomy

A doctor may require an abdominal hysterectomy to treat the following:

* Cancer of the uterus or the cervix

* Fibroids

* Excessive vaginal bleeding

Measures to Take Before an Abdominal Hysterectomy

Before you undergo hysterectomy, it would help for you to make some preparations for before, during, and after your surgery. Here are some tips:

* Organize things at home and at work to make sure that everything will run smoothly while you are away.

* You shouldn't take any medicines for blood thinning about a week before your hysterectomy.

* Consult your doctor about the medicines that you should stop taking before your surgery. One of this is birth control medication, which can increase your risk of blood clots.

Post Surgery Precautions

Keep the following in mind after your hysterectomy:

* If you experience vaginal bleeding then use sanitary pads instead of tampons.

* You should no longer be bleeding after you get back home. If you still are and if the secretions give off a foul smell then it would be best to seek your doctor's advice.

* It's alright to use pain killers to make yourself comfortable after your hysterectomy. Just make sure to follow your doctor's prescription.

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