Hysterectomies are one of the most common gynaecological procedures performed in Australia today. They can play an important role in saving lives and improving quality of life for women. Every year in Australia, around 30,000 women undergo a hysterectomy and 1 in 3 women will have had a hysterectomy by the age of 45, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
There are various types of hysterectomies. The main types include:
- Total hysterectomy – the uterus and cervix are removed.
- Subtotal hysterectomy – the main body of the uterus is removed leaving the cervix in place.
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) are removed.
- Radical hysterectomy – the uterus and surrounding tissues including the fallopian tubes, part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph glands and/or fatty tissue are removed.
A hysterectomy can be carried out in one of three ways:
- Laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) – where the uterus is removed through several small incisions in the abdomen.
- Vaginal hysterectomy – where the uterus is removed through an incision in the top of the vagina.
- Abdominal hysterectomy – where the uterus is removed through a larger incision in the lower abdomen.
There are many reasons why a woman may elect to undergo a hysterectomy, including:
- They have reached menopause;
- They do not wish to have children;
- To relieve the symptoms of endometriosis, heavy periods or long-term pelvic pain;
- To remove non-cancerous tumours (fibroids); or
- To remove ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer or cancer of the fallopian tubes.
Like any surgical procedure, a hysterectomy carries risks of complications. These include:
- Heavy bleeding;
- Infection;
- Reaction to anaesthetic; and
- Damage to the bladder or bowel.
Unfortunately, women do also from time to time have bad outcomes following a hysterectomy due to medical negligence. We have acted for women who successfully brought claims again the surgeon who performed their hysterectomy where the surgeon had breached their duty of care by:
- Inappropriately advising the patient to undergo a hysterectomy when more conservative treatment options were available and ought to have been tried before a hysterectomy;
- Carrying out the hysterectomy without proper visualisation of the pelvic organs, resulting in the patient’s ureters and bladder being severed;
- Damaging the bowel in the process of performing the hysterectomy and failing to rectify this during the surgery; and
- Failing to recognise that the patient had developed a post-operative infection, resulting in the need for further surgery.
The ongoing disabilities for women who have suffered a complication during a hysterectomy can be debilitating and traumatic. They include urinary and faecal incontinence, urgency and frequency, loss of bladder sensation, impaired functioning of the bladder muscles, pelvic pain, impaired sexual functioning, requirement for additional surgery, scarring and psychological symptoms.
If you or someone you know has suffered a poor outcome following a hysterectomy, we have a team of professional and compassionate female medical negligence solicitors who understand the sensitive nature of these types of injuries. One of our team would be happy to meet with you to have a free and confidential discussion with you about your options and how we can help.
Please call our reception to book an appointment on 02 4050 0330.
