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InsightHorizon Digest

What is a Supracervical hysterectomy

Author

James Bradley

Updated on April 05, 2026

Supracervical hysterectomy (SH) is a surgical procedure to remove only the uterus. The cervix and fallopian tubes are not removed. The decision whether or not to remove the fallopian tubes (called bilateral salpingoophorectomy – BSO) and ovaries is a separate decision.

Why would you do a Supracervical hysterectomy?

Supracervical hysterectomy is often used when less invasive treatments have not been successful in treating endometriosis, uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, chronic pelvic pain, and abnormal uterine bleeding. A supracervical hysterectomy may also be preferred for certain urogynecologic procedures.

What can I expect after a Supracervical hysterectomy?

Most women recover and are back to most activities in 4-6 weeks. You may need a family member or a friend to help with your day-to-day activities for a few days after surgery.

Will I still have a period after a Supracervical hysterectomy?

Supracervical hysterectomy is a surgical treatment option for many women. Most women experience no further menstrual bleeding after surgery, but there is the possibility of bleeding from the cervical stump.

How is uterus removed in Supracervical hysterectomy?

Removing the Uterus The surgeon uses the instruments to carefully isolate and detach the uterus from the ligaments and structures in the abdomen. The surgeon then cuts the uterus into small sections. The sections of uterus are carefully pulled out of the body through the incisions in the abdomen.

Can a Supracervical hysterectomy be done vaginally?

The vaginal route in gynecological surgery is less invasive and has many advantages over traditional approaches. We decided to present cases of supracervical hysterectomy performed vaginally. It is a very rare technique in gynecological surgery for benign diseases.

What does Supracervical mean?

Definition of supracervical : situated or occurring above a neck or cervical process supracervical hysterectomy.

Can a uterus grow back?

Can the uterine lining grow back following an endometrial ablation? Yes. It’s possible that the endometrial lining will grow back after an endometrial ablation.

Can a man feel when a woman has had a hysterectomy?

Some husbands worry their wives may feel different or no longer express interest in them. The reality is that sex after hysterectomy for the man may feel surprisingly similar. In all procedures, the surgeon takes steps to maintain vaginal functionality. A hysterectomy is simply a surgery that removes the uterus.

What replaces the cervix after hysterectomy?

A vaginal cuff is a closure made at the top of the vagina, near where the cervix is usually located. A surgeon creates a vaginal cuff by stitching together the top part of the vagina, usually as part of a total or radical hysterectomy.

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What is the recovery time for a laparoscopic Supracervical hysterectomy?

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). This procedure is the least invasive and can have a recovery period as short as six days to two weeks. Walking is encouraged, but not heavy lifting.

How is a laparoscopic Supracervical hysterectomy performed?

A laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a woman’s uterus, but not the cervix, is removed using a technique that involves several small abdominal incisions.

Why would you need a total abdominal hysterectomy?

A total abdominal hysterectomy is a surgery to remove your uterus and cervix. You may be having a hysterectomy because you have: Uterine cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer. Uterine fibroids.

How many incisions are needed for a robotic hysterectomy?

During a robotic hysterectomy, your surgeon makes five small incisions in your abdomen to provide access for surgical tools. Through these incisions, your surgeon detaches your uterus and possibly your ovaries and fallopian tubes from surrounding tissues.

Which type of hysterectomy is safest?

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says the safest, least invasive and most cost-effective way to remove a uterus for non-cancerous reasons is a vaginal hysterectomy, rather than laparoscopic or open surgery.

What type of hysterectomy is best for fibroids?

Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) has been the traditional procedure. It is an invasive procedure that is best suited for women with large fibroids, when the ovaries also need to be removed, or when cancer or pelvic disease is present. The surgeon makes a 5- to 7-inch incision in the lower part of the belly.

Can you carry a baby without a uterus?

Uterine Transplant Could Allow Women Born Without A Uterus to Carry Their Own Babies. One in 5,000 women is born without a uterus—a condition called MRKH syndrome—making it impossible to carry a child. This is usually diagnosed during the adolescent years, and Dr.

Can your ovaries grow back after hysterectomy?

Ovarian remnant syndrome is a rare condition where small pieces of ovarian tissue are inadvertently left in the pelvic cavity, following the surgical removal of one or both ovaries. The remnant tissue can grow, form cysts or hemorrhage, producing pain.

Can you have a period without a uterus?

Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause.

What happens to the empty space after a hysterectomy?

After your uterus is removed (hysterectomy) all the normal organs that surround the uterus simply fill the position previously occupied by the uterus. Mostly it is bowel that fills the space, as there is lots of small and large bowel immediately adjacent to the uterus.

Do your hips widen after a hysterectomy?

The uterine ligaments are the pelvis’ support structures so the torso collapses after those ligaments are cut to remove the uterus. The hips widen and the spine and rib cage fall. This explains why hysterectomized women have shortened and thickened midsections and no curve in their lower backs.

What causes discharge years after hysterectomy?

The three most common causes are yeast overgrowth, bacterial vaginosis and an infection called trichomonas, which is the only one of the three that is transmitted sexually. In older women, vaginal atrophy is common due to decreased estrogen production, and this can have an associated discharge.

Is a laparoscopic hysterectomy considered major surgery?

Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure in which the uterus and possibly the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix are removed. The surgery can be done in several ways, one of which is laparoscopically.

How bad is pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy?

You can expect pain and discomfort in your lower abdomen for at least the first few days after your operation. You may also have some pain in your shoulder. This is a common side effect of laparoscopic surgery. When leaving hospital, you should be provided with painkillers for the pain you are experiencing.

Will I have a flat stomach after hysterectomy?

Weight loss isn’t a side effect of a hysterectomy. Some people experience a few days of nausea following a major surgery. This can be a result of pain or a side effect of the anesthesia. For some, this can make it hard to keep food down, resulting in temporary weight loss.

What are the signs of needing a hysterectomy?

  • heavy periods – which can be caused by fibroids.
  • pelvic pain – which may be caused by endometriosis, unsuccessfully treated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), adenomyosis or fibroids.
  • prolapse of the uterus.
  • cancer of the womb, ovaries or cervix.

Do you still need to see a gynecologist after a total hysterectomy?

You Still Need a Pelvic Exam Even if you have had a total hysterectomy or have reached an age where you no longer need a Pap smear, you should still get an annual pelvic exam from your gynecologist. Because there are no screening tests for ovarian or peritoneal cancer, a pelvic exam is the only screening available.

What are the three types of hysterectomy?

  • total hysterectomy – where the uterus and cervix are removed.
  • subtotal (partial) hysterectomy – where the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left in place. …
  • hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – where the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed.

How long will stomach be swollen after robotic hysterectomy?

Slight abdominal swelling is normal and may last as long as 6-8 weeks. If your belly is getting distended, hard and tender, there may be a problem. Nausea and vomiting are also indications that something is amiss and your doctor should be notified.

How long is hospital stay for robotic hysterectomy?

You will most likely stay in the hospital for a few days. Once you can go home, we will give you instructions to follow closely and a list of your follow-up appointments. We recommend keeping your incision areas dry for 2 – 3 days. Your bladder catheter will be removed in a day or two.

What are the disadvantages of robotic surgery?

The only cons associated with robotic surgery are that of higher costs. The robot itself is expectedly very expensive with the cost of disposable supplies sending the cost of the procedure even higher. Many hospitals are doing feasibility studies to determine whether the huge expense is worthwhile.