Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Surgical Option for Less Pain and a Quicker Recovery Time By Dr. Nash Moawad, MD May 15, 2013

Located in Hysterectomy (click link to see other articles).

Do you need a hysterectomy for bleeding, pain, fibroids, prolapse, or uterine cancer? Why settle for a large incision if you can have smaller incisions or no incision? Why have more pain if there is a less invasive approach? Why spend more time in the hospital and more time for recovery if you can go home the same day or next day and return to your favorite activities sooner?

Despite the revolutionary advances in minimally-invasive surgical techniques, 50% of women requiring hysterectomy still undergo traditional open surgery that has been associated with more pain, more scarring, more blood loss, more risk of infection, more time in the hospital and longer time for recovery (up to 4-6 weeks). Minimally invasive hysterectomy, through the vaginal, laparoscopic or robotic approach, has been shown to be as safe and effective as traditional open surgery with the added benefits of less postoperative pain, less bleeding, lesser risk of infection and adhesions, faster recovery and faster return to normal activities.

Watch a video on minimally invasive hysterectomies

I encourage you to explore the information available on this web site to learn more about the advantages of minimally-invasive surgery. We encourage you to ask questions when visiting with your doctor to discuss treatment options; ask about your minimally-invasive options; and feel free to seek a second opinion if you are told your only option is open surgery. We want you to be comfortable enough to ask your surgeon how often s/he has to change from a minimally-invasive approach to an open hysterectomy during the procedure.

At the end of the day, it is your body and you should feel empowered to ask the right questions and make informed decisions regarding your care.