Hysterectomy 子宫切除手术

Patient information leaflet

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Frequently asked questions

What is hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a surgery to remove uterus (womb).

How is the operation performed?

It can be done through keyhole (laparoscopy) surgery / open (laparotomy) surgery / through vagina depending on suitability.

Why do I need hysterectomy?

Some conditions that may require hysterectomy:

• Fibroids

• Excessive menstrual bleeding that fail to response to medical treatment.

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Endometriosis, adenomyosis

• Pre-cancer changes of womb / cervix

• Cancer of uterus, cervix and ovaries

What are the risk of hysterectomy?

Common risks:

• Pain

• Infection (wound, urine, chest)

• Bleeding

Uncommon risks:

• Damage to bladder/bowel/other organs

• Bleeding requiring blood transfusion / removal of womb

• Return to operating theatre

• Pelvic abscess/infection

• Blood clot in leg/lung

Are the fallopian tubes and ovaries removed during hysterectomy?

Most of the time, fallopian tubes will be removed during hysterectomy. In some cases, the ovaries are removed due to concurrent ovarian disease. This is called hysterectomy with salpingo-oopherectomy.

Discuss with your doctor whether your fallopian tubes and ovaries need to be removed during hysterectomy.

Laparoscopy vs laparotomy for hysterectomy.

Benefits of laparoscopic hysterectomy when compared to laparotomy:

• Less pain

• Less fever

• Smaller scar

• Shorter hospital stay

• Faster recovery

• Earlier return to work and normal activities

• Lower risk of adhesion

(organ/tissue stick together)

Disadvantages

• Requres more specialised surgical skills

• May take longer time in certain cases (Eg: huge / multiple fibroids)

• May not be suitable for certain cases, (Eg: advanced cancer)

• Requires more specialised equiptments

Will I be menopause after hysterectomy?

After hysterectomy, you will not have periods. However, if your ovaries were not removed, you will not enter menopause immediately after surgery.

The ovaries that remain in your body will continue to produce hormones and you will still experience hormonal cycles till your natural menopausal age.

Some studies shows that women who has hysterectomy done might experience menopause 6-12 months earlier compare to women who did not have hysterectomy.