Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH)
Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery for women in the United States. The majority, 65-70%, of these surgeries are performed using the traditional open abdominal method, which typically means a more painful and longer recovery. Fortunately, this is changing with minimally invasive techniques. One such alternative is Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH).
LSH is less stressful to the body than the traditional open abdominal hysterectomy. It was developed to reduce pain, minimize scarring and shorten recovery time. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, which means most woman can be home resting comfortably within 24 hours and back to their normal activities in one to two weeks.
The LSH advantages are so appealing to today's women that a recent national study found eight out of 10 women would likely switch gynecologist if their own did not offer LSH. LSH gives women options.
The LSH Procedure uses a thin, lighted telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which acts like a video camera, along with small surgical instruments that are all inserted through three to four tiny incisions in the navel and abdomen. Using the instruments, the surgeon carefully separates the uterus from the cervix and removes it through one of the openings. The cervix, the bottom part of the uterus, is left intact. Because this type of surgery does not require the surgeon to make a large abdominal incision, a woman will not have the same kind of visible scar typical with most traditional, "open" surgeries.
Some research suggests that preserving the cervix may help to reduce the risk of pelvic floor prolapse, urinary incontinence and other complications associated with total hysterectomies. However, with the cervix in place, it means that following an LSH, a woman must be willing to continue getting annual Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer.
As with all surgery, any type of hysterectomy involves risk, including potential blood loss, infection and damage to other internal organs. That's why every woman should discuss the surgery with her doctor to learn all she can about the procedure.
A hysterectomy is generally an elective procedure, not an emergency, so a woman has the time to explore and thoroughly understand all of her options, including LSH. Most importantly, women should talk to their doctor.
Read more information on hysterectomies in the health library.