Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Less Pain, Faster Recovery

New, less invasive methods for hysterectomies are now available at Prevea Health. These minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomies help women to feel like themselves again sooner after surgery, with less pain, faster recovery and considerably less scarring.

Traditional Method

Traditionally, most hysterectomies are preformed as an open abdominal procedure. The lower abdominal incision is also called a "bikini cut" and leaves about a four-inch scar. This technique is known as a total abdominal hysterectomy or TAH.

Naturally, larger incisions and open procedures put more stress on the body. Women remain in the hospital for about two days and generally need to rest at home for four to six weeks.

Less Invasive Instead of working with an open abdominal incision, in a minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy, surgeons access the uterus through small incisions in the navel and bikini-line area.    The surgeons insert a small telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope which transmits internal images to a video screen. The surgeons watch their work on this screen as they use slender tools to separate the uterus from attached ligaments and blood vessels.

Less Pain

Patients who undergo a laparoscopic hysterectomy report less pain. In addition to the smaller incisions, the procedure won't stretch the abdominal muscles—another major source of post-operative discomfort with traditional TAH.

Faster Recovery

Laparoscopic procedures allow some patients to return home the day of surgery, while others spend only one night in the hospital. Patients can generally resume normal activities in about two weeks or less.

Laparoscopic procedures may not be right for everyone. Speak with your Prevea physician to learn if this procedure may be right for you.

More information may be found at www.hysterectomyoptions.com.