What is radical surgery (hysterectomy) for endometriosis?

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and is the second most frequently performed surgery in premenopausal women. (Cesarean sections are first.)

Endometriosis accounts for 18% of these procedures, but the rates vary widely by ethnic group, with the great majority of endometriosis-related hysterectomies performed in Caucasian women.

It should be noted that hysterectomy does not necessarily cure endometriosis.

Determining the Extent of the Hysterectomy

Once a decision for a hysterectomy has been made, the patient should discuss with her physician what will be removed.

The common choices are:

• Total Hysterectomy (Removal of uterus and cervix).
  
  Removing only the uterus with hysterectomy, has the same risk for recurrence as conservative surgery.
  
  
• Supracervical Hysterectomy (Removal of uterus and preservation of the cervix).
  
  Procedure is performed in about 20% to 25% of cases.
  
  
• Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (Removal of the ovaries).
  
  It can be used with either total or supracervical hysterectomy.
  
  This is the only potential cure for endometriosis.

For further details about techniques and photos of gasless total and supracervical hysterectomy please click on "special treatments" and there for "Surgical results"