A supracervical hysterectomy can be performed either through an abdominal incision or with a laparoscope. In a supracervical hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed either through an abdominal incision or through a laparoscope with a uterine morcellator. The cervix and possibly even the ovaries are preserved.
Considerations before this procedure
To determine whether you are eligible for this procedure, you must provide your doctor with a complete medical history. You must also have a physical exam, vaginal ultrasound, and Pap test. You may also need to be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have other conditions that may affect the procedure, separate tests must be performed.
You cannot be a candidate for a supracervical hysterectomy if you have any of the following: endometrial hyperplasia or cancer; current or past cervical dysplasia or cancer; or any other gynecological cancer. Thorough testing should be done to rule out cancer precursors or cervical and cervical cancer.
Does the supracervical hysterectomy raise your thumbs up or down?
Proponents of this procedure claim that this technique preserves a woman’s sexual function because the cervix, along with the mucus-secreting glands that prevent vaginal dryness, is preserved. Vaginal dryness is a common complaint from women who have had a hysterectomy.
The technique also leads to better pelvic support since the ligaments that support the vagina and cervix are not cut. In addition, this type of hysterectomy causes less pain than other types of hysterectomy. Due to the small incisions made with the laparoscopic approach, a shorter recovery time is required. Hormone replacement therapy may no longer be necessary as the ovaries remain intact. This hysterectomy appears to have the shortest surgery time and the shortest hospital stay when used by an experienced gynecologist. Women with this hysterectomy can resume sexual activity earlier.
However, recent research by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has shown that supracervical hysterectomy has no real benefit over other types of hysterectomy. A woman who has had a supracervical hysterectomy may even be at higher risk for the remaining cervix. This could lead to further treatment of cervical pathology in the future.
As with total hysterectomy, patients with supra cervical hysterectomy still experience voiding, urinary frequency, and urinary incontinence. In addition, the study found that women with supra cervical hysterectomy reported no difference in quality and frequency of sexual activity compared to other types of hysterectomy.