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Information On Hysterectomy Waco Residents Need To Know

By Charles Edwards


The decision to have the uterus removed is often quite difficult to make on the part of the patient as well as the gynecologist. In some cases, however, it is absolutely necessary that it be carried out so as to save the life of the affected woman. Hysterectomy, as the surgery is commonly referred to, makes it impossible for a woman to carry future pregnancy. Therefore before having hysterectomy Waco patients need to make an informed decision.

Broadly, hysterectomy is carried under two circumstances. The first is during emergencies related to labor and delivery. Excessive bleeding from the uterus is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. While there are a number of conservative methods that can be used, these may fail in some instances leading to removal of the vital organ. The other category is where the procedure is done electively (at a scheduled time).

Elective procedures are by far the more common. Some of the reasons that may create a need for them include uterine tumors, cervical cancers and prolonged or excessive bleeding from the uterus due to any other reasons. It is important that alternatives are first considered by a decision to have the operation is made. In a significant proportion of these cases, patients have a choice to turn down the surgery.

You need to be taken through some form of preparation just is the case with any other surgical operation. This preparation is both psychological and physical. A number of investigations will be ordered to determine the extent of the condition as well as your readiness for the procedure. Such may include, for example, the ultrasound scan, CT scan or a full blood count.

Your doctor will typically give you some instructions on conditions that are to be fulfilled before the procedure is carried out. If you are taking blood thinners, these should be stopped a few weeks before the day of the operation. Smokers also need to stop using tobacco products a few weeks in advance. All these are aimed at reducing the risk of bleeding from the operation.

There are two main approaches that are used when performing the procedure. These include the abdominal approach and the trans-vaginal approach. The choice of which of these two to use will be determined by the nature and extent of the illness. The trans-vaginal approach is ideal when the uterus is relatively small and can be maneuvered easily through the birth canal once it has been separated from the supporting structures.

When the abdominal approach is chosen the surgeon has the option of doing an open procedure or a laparoscopic procedure. The former entails the creation of a large incision in the lower abdomen hence is associated with larger residual scars. In the laparoscopic technique, the incisions are quite small which means that the resultant scars are quite small. Other complications such as bleeding and damage to other organs are also fewer with this method.

The surgery typically takes between one and two hours except in instances where complications are encountered. The surgical team has the option of choosing between regional and general anesthesia. The choice is mainly determined by the preference of the surgeon and the anesthesiology team. Recovery is usually quite rapid with the majority of patients being allowed home after about 72 hours. Resumption of normal duties may take a few more days.




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