Alternatives to hysterectomy

 

What is a Hysterectomy?

 

Hysterectomy (uterus removal) is a surgery with important subsequent drawbacks:

• inability to get pregnant

• menopause (if ovaries are also removed)

• poor bladder control

• prolapse 

• bleeding, pain, bowel adhesions

Alternative options for hysterectomy consist of minimally invasive procedures which keep the uterus in place. These include:

• Abdominal myomectomy for large, deep fibroids.

• Laparoscopic myomectomy. Slender instruments are inserted through small incisions in the abdomen

• to remove the fibroids.

• Hysteroscopic myomectomy. A scope (hysteroscope) is introduced through the vagina into the uterus to remove

• the fibroids localized inside the uterus.

 

Subtotal hysterectomy retains the upper vaginal support that helps prevent prolapse in the future.

 

Other procedures include:

• Myolysis

• Endometrial resection

• Uterine artery embolization.

• Focused ultrasound surgery

 

These methods destroy either the fibroids or the blood vessels that feed them, by using focused discharge of electric current, laser, heat, hot water, microwave energy, small particles or sound waves