eMedicine Specialties > Obstetrics and Gynecology > Gynecologic Surgery

Hysterectomy: Follow-up

Author: Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG, Consulting Staff, Private Practice, Bergen County, New Jersey
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 20, 2008

Future and Controversies

As more pharmacologic and invasive radiologic interventions become available, the number of hysterectomies performed in the United States and abroad will continue to decrease.

Compared with hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization (UAE) was associated with higher rates of minor postprocedural complications such as vaginal discharge, postpuncture hematoma, and postembolization syndrome (pain, fever, nausea, vomiting), as well as higher unscheduled visits and readmission rates after discharge. No evidence shows a benefit of UAE over surgery(hysterectomy/myomectomy) for satisfaction. Currently, the ongoing trials REST (UK) and EMMY have yet to report on the long-term follow-up.20

Da Vinci hysterectomy involves a robotic system in which the surgeon's hands are naturally positioned while his or her fingers grasp the controls below the display, and movements are transferred real time to surgical instruments inside the patient. This system is useful when the surgery involves dissection in a difficult situation, such as near ureters, bladder, or blood vessels.

Not only will surgical techniques continue to be updated and improved, but preoperative and postoperative interventions will improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.

Because the uterus is associated with femininity, some women experience a sense of loss after a hysterectomy. However, some women find a hysterectomy enhances their quality of life because it provides relief of symptoms and definite contraception.

Hysterectomy, whether total or subtotal, may improve quality of life and psychological outcome.21

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors Gloria Bachmann, MD and Sagar Patel, BS to the development and writing of this article.



More on Hysterectomy

Overview: Hysterectomy
Workup: Hysterectomy
Treatment: Hysterectomy
Follow-up: Hysterectomy
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

uterine disease, gynecologic dysfunction, sterility, total abdominal hysterectomy, TAH, fibroids, leiomyomas, LAVH, vaginal hysterectomy, VH, benign uterine tumor, endometriosis, genital prolapse, uterine prolapse, pelvic relaxation, uterine cancer, uterus cancer, cancer of uterus, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, cervix cancer, radical hysterectomy, vaginectomy, UAE, da Vinci hysterectomy, endometrial ablation, progesterone-containing IUD

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG, Consulting Staff, Private Practice, Bergen County, New Jersey
Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Andrea Witlin, DO, PhD, Former Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch
Andrea Witlin, DO, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Michel E Rivlin, MD, Professor, Coordinator, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Michel E Rivlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Frederick B Gaupp, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Family Practice, Hancock Medical Center
Frederick B Gaupp, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michel E Rivlin, MD, Professor, Coordinator, Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Michel E Rivlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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