Hysterectomy

Statstics

 *     First  Performed: 184  3
 * Duration  : Permanent
 *   Implementation  : Surgical
 *   Effectiveness  : 99.5% (.5/100)
 *   Costs  : About $9,500
 *   STI  Protection: N  one

History
The first hysterectomy was performed to remove a uterus infected with gangrene in the 2nd century A.D.

In the 18th century, hysterectomies had a reported mortality rate of 90%, and most people didn't think someone could survive one. In 1824, the first sucessful vaginal hysterectomy was performed (the woman had cancer in her cervix). The first successful abdominal hysterectomy was performed in 1853.

Today, over half a million hysterectomies are performed every year, with a survival rate of up to 99%. There are also many options as to how they can be performed (abdominally, vaginally, and laparoscopically).

Description


Hysterectomies are a very popular medical procedure in which the ovaries are surgically removed. Hysterectomies are popular in part because they have the potential to reduce abnormal bleeding and elminates the possibility of uteran cancer<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">, or could be used as an effective treatment <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). There are multiple other utreus-related health concerns that may be treated with hyperectomies, such as uteran pain, tissue damage and endomitriosis <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When performing hysterectomies via laparotomy, a vertical or horizontal incision is made in the abdominal wall, allowing access to reproductive structures <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). This method is known as an abdominal hysterectomy. After the incision is made, the uterus is removed. This method allows greater access to reproductive systems and can be done with the assistance of robots for making more precise cuts ( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013).

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hysterectomies may also be vaginally performed, which allows the procedure to be performed without incisions, which, while giving surgeons more limited and difficult access to reproductive systems, can reduce the risk for complications <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). Vaginal hysterectomies are also less intrusive and do not leave scars <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013).

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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.

Effects
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hysterectomies have long recovery periods (4-6 months) and have risks of complication <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). Hysterectomies also carry the risks of injury to nearby organs, pain during intercourse, heavy bleeding and possibly fatal blood clots. Risks and recovery period durations are both reduced when performed vaginally <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). Hysterectomies have a mortality rate of 0.1%-0.6% and an injury rate of 2.2%-3% <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). Hysterectomies are also known to cause emotional pain <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013). Hysterectomies may also cause damage to surrounding organs and may create adverse reactions to anesthesia <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">( <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">HHS, 2013).

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