MIP for hysterectomy uses state-of-the-art technology to treat more than 300,000 hysterectomy patients every year.⁴⁰ Women who have an MIP often experience faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and less pain and scarring than women who have a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).

Minimally Invasive Procedures (MIP) for hysterectomy are a collection of advanced surgical procedures that are less invasive than open procedures. These procedures allow the surgeon to remove the uterus without the large incision required by an open procedure. The surgeon gains access to the abdomen either through the vagina or through small incisions in the abdomen. Both approaches often result in less postoperative pain and quicker recovery.

For most types of MIP, the hospital stay is usually one day, and normal activity can be resumed in about two to six weeks after surgery. Patients who have had MIP for their hysterectomy usually experience less pain and faster return to normal activity than patients who have had a TAH. ⁴⁰

A vaginal hysterectomy (VH) is performed through an incision made at the top of the vagina. Through the incision, the uterus, including the cervix, is separated from the surrounding tissues and then removed through the vagina. The vaginal incision is small, heals quickly, and usually doesn’t leave an external scar. The abdominal muscles are not stretched, so there’s usually less discomfort after the surgery. A vaginal hysterectomy takes one to two hours and requires a hospital stay of one to three days; normal activity can usually resume in four weeks.

Click here to watch an animation of a vaginal hysterectomy (VH).

In laparoscopic procedures, the surgeon uses various specialized tools inserted through small, dime-sized incisions in the navel and abdomen. As with the vaginal hysterectomy, there is no large abdominal incision. Hospital stays and recovery times are typically shorter than those after a TAH.

Click here to watch an animation of a laparoscopic procedure, in this case a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH).

As with any surgical procedure, MIP for hysterectomy may present risks. Find out more about the risks and complications of MIP for hysterectomy.

Find out how to start talking with your doctor to see if a hysterectomy is the right treatment option for your symptoms.

Get a list of surgeons in your area who perform MIP.