Laproscopic Hysterectomy - Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy
A laparoscopic hysterectomy is a minimally invasive alternative to the more traditional total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). In place of open surgery and a large, five-inch abdominal incision, the laparoscopic procedure requires several small, dime-sized incisions. A doctor inserts a laparoscope (miniature camera) into one tiny incision to see the abdomen and laparoscopic surgical tools through two other small incisions. There are two laparoscopic alternatives for women: laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH), when the uterus is detached from the cervix and removed under view of the laparoscope, and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), when both the uterus and cervix are removed laparoscopically.

What are the benefits?

For many women, laparoscopic hysterectomy is a viable option with significant benefits, including:

• Less scarring
• Less pain
• Lower risk of infection and bleeding
• Less recovery time (see chart below)
  
  

Facts

• More than one in four women will have a hysterectomy by age 60.
• The most common medical reasons for a hysterectomy include: benign fibroid tumors of the uterus, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, genital prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain.
• Uterine cancer is a less common but equally important reason for a hysterectomy.
  

TLH, along with laparoscopic staging, may be an option for many patients.

• Laparoscopic hysterectomy is just one of the options available. Women should talk with their doctor about the right treatment for them.

How Long Has It Been Available in Indianapolis?
This minimally invasive alternative has been in existence for approximately 15 years, but hasn’t been widely available to women due mostly to a lack of trained physicians. Gregory J. Raff MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist with IU Women’s Healthcare and member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgeons and Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, has been performing the laparoscopic hysterectomy in Indianapolis for more than a year. He’s had over 10 years experience performing a wide range of minimally invasive procedures, including vaginal surgeries, operative hysteroscopy, sterilization (laparoscopic and Essure), endometrial ablation, diagnostic and operative laparoscopy. After extensive training in laparoscopic hysterectomy, Dr. Raff has also begun training other local physicians in the procedure.

For more information, or to see if the proceedure is an option for you, call today schedule an appointment - 317.274-8231.