Cover Story

Speedier recovery from a hysterectomy

By None

ROCKFORD WOMAN

Aug 26, 2008 @ 06:44 PM

Each year, more than 600,000 women hear they’ll need a hysterectomy, making it the second most common surgery in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

For many women a hysterectomy no longer means the dreaded six to eight weeks of recovery, thanks to an increasingly popular version of the surgery, called a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. In this procedure the uterus is removed in segments through small incisions in the abdomen. Women who receive this surgery are back home in 12 hours to two days instead of three to five days after having the traditional surgery. The uterus is removed in its entirety through a large incision in the abdomen during the traditional procedure known as the total abdominal hysterectomy.

“For women who basically require or desire (a hysterectomy), it’s a good procedure for them. It doesn’t interrupt their lives,” said Dr. Tim Durkee, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the Rockford Women’s Health Center.  “For the most part, complications are unusual.”

Hysterectomies often are performed to treat fibroids, endometriosis, prolapsed uterus, cancer, persistent vaginal bleeding, post-partum bleeding, and chronic pelvic pain with the uterus.
Your health-care provider can assess whether the procedure is right for you. The following chart compares the laparoscopic hysterectomy to the more traditional method.

Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Hospital stay: 3-5 days

Recovery time: 6-8 weeks                                                 

Pain/Comfort index:
Painful; may require pain medication
Higher risk of infection, blood loss, and more possible complications

Side effects:
Infertility
No periods (cycle without bleeding)
Possible muscle damage
Possible post-operative incisional hernia 

Cosmetic: Large incision or “bikini cut” 4-6 inches

Risks:
Reactions to medications
Problems breathing
Bleeding
Infection
Injury to nearby organs including bladder, ureters or blood vessels
Injury to bowel

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Hospital stay: 12 hours to 2 days

Recovery time: Usually 2-4 weeks, may return to work sooner depending on type of job. One week in some cases.

Pain/Comfort index: Significantly less pain, less blood loss, fewer complications, and less risk of infection

Side effects:
Infertility
No periods (cycle without bleeding)

Cosmetic: Less scarring- small 3 ½ inch incisions

Risks: Same as total abdominal hysterectomy