As with any surgical procedure, Minimally Invasive Procedures (MIP) for hysterectomy may present risks. You need to talk to your doctor about whether you are a candidate for MIP for hysterectomy. And remember, serious complications from hysterectomy are rare.⁴⁰ The risk for serious complications depends on the reason the surgery is needed and your medical condition and age, as well as on the experience of the surgeon and anesthesiologist. Ask your doctor or surgeon about what to expect after surgery, as well as the risks that may occur with surgery, including those listed below.^40,43

• Reactions to medications or problems resulting from the anesthesia

• Problems breathing

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Blood clots in the veins or lungs

• Inadvertent injury to the organs and blood vessels near the uterus

• Death (rare)

Additionally, an open procedure such as a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) has a greater potential for:

• Muscle injury

• Postoperative incisional hernia

For some patients, MIP is not an appropriate choice. Your surgeon will help you determine the best choice for you, considering factors such as:

• Obesity

• History of prior abdominal surgery that may have resulted in the formation of dense scar tissue

• Underlying medical conditions

The decision to perform MIP or an open procedure, such as a TAH, should be made during a discussion with your surgeon. Sometimes a procedure can start out as MIP, but may have to be converted to open surgery based on the factors listed above or events that occur during surgery, such as:

• Inability to safely visualize organs

• Bleeding problems during the operation

MIP for hysterectomy involves less recovery time, less time in the hospital, less scarring, and less pain. Find out more about the benefits of MIP for hysterectomy and whether or not MIP may be an option for you.

Only your doctor can decide if MIP for hysterectomy is right for you. Find out which questions to ask when talking with your doctor.

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