Vaginal Hysterectomy
The hospital where I (Dr. Simon) spent my residency had an affluent, educated clientele base who could not afford to have down time from surgery. Vaginal surgery has many benefits.
- The recovery time is drastically reduced. Patients are able to go home the next day after the procedure. Patients experience minimal to moderate discomfort for approximately 1 week. The patient is typically back to work in 1 to 2 weeks.
- A vaginal hysterectomy is less invasive. There is no incision through the abdominal wall and muscle as there is in an abdominal hysterectomy. These types of incisions result in more discomfort and an increased chance of infection.
- The incision in on the outside of your body when an abdominal hysterectomy is performed. This can increase the amount of blood loss and scarring
- A vaginal hysterectomy means less time under anesthesia. An abdominal hysterectomy can take twice as long as a vaginal hysterectomy.
So, with all of that information why are over 70% of all hysterectomy procedures performed abdominally?
- Limited training and comfort level of the surgeon.
- Misconception that ovaries cannot be taken through the vagina if you have never had a vaginal birth (no children or a c-section).
- Ironically, insurance companies reimburse more for abdominal surgery despite the increased recovery time and chance for infection.
