Having a hysterectomy certainly isn’t a decision women take lightly. It is, after all, a surgical procedure. The good news is, many hysterectomies today are performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques, a change that’s ushered in a lot of benefits for women who need the surgery.
At his practice in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul W. Morrison, M.D., offers minimally invasive hysterectomies using state-of-the-art techniques and technology. In this blog, Dr. Morrison, explains some of the most important benefits associated with the minimally invasive approach and also discusses when a traditional approach might be the better option.
Hysterectomies are surgeries that remove all or most of your uterus. In a partial hysterectomy, the upper part of your uterus is removed, but the cervix remains intact. A full or complete hysterectomy removes the entire uterus, including the cervix.
Some women have their ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as well, a procedure called hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy. A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, the upper vagina, and other surrounding tissues.
According to the National Women’s Health network, roughly 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States, and about 20 million American women have already had a hysterectomy. There are several reasons why the surgery is performed, including:
For many of these conditions, Dr. Morrison may try noninvasive treatments first. Then, if these treatments don't provide the desired results, Dr. Morrison may recommend hysterectomy.
Dr. Morrison performs two types of minimally invasive hysterectomies: laparoscopic and vaginal. The laparoscopic approach uses very small incisions in your belly, while the vaginal approach uses an incision in your vagina, with no external incisions. Both approaches offer similar benefits, including:
Dr. Morrison is also trained in robot-assisted hysterectomies using the da Vinci® Surgical System. This system allows for greater precision, enhanced visualization of the surgical site, and small incisions.
Minimally invasive hysterectomy can be the ideal solution for many women. However, there are some cases where the traditional “open” approach to surgery may be better. With this approach, Dr. Morrison uses a larger incision in your belly to perform the hysterectomy.
A traditional hysterectomy is typically recommended for women with:
Before your surgery, Dr. Morrison will perform an exam and evaluation to determine which approach is a better option for you.
Sometimes, having a hysterectomy is the best way to maintain your health and prevent more serious problems from developing. As a leading gynecologist in Indiana, Dr. Morrison provides women with the most appropriate care based on their unique needs.
To learn more about hysterectomy and whether it might be the right choice for you, book an appointment online or over the phone with the practice of Paul W. Morrison, M.D. today.
