About LSH

1. Three small incisions in the navel and abdomen	2. Thin, lighted laparoscope is inserted through incisions
3. Uterus is separated from cervix and removed	4. The cervix remains intact after surgery

For more information about minimally-invasive gynecologic procedures, contact the American Association for Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) at www.aagl.com.

photo of women

The LSH procedure uses a thin, lighted telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which acts like a video camera, along with small surgical instruments that are all inserted through 3 to 4 tiny incisions (less than 1/4 inch each) in the navel and abdomen. Using the instruments, the surgeon carefully separates the uterus from the cervix and removes it through one of the openings. The cervix, the bottom part of the uterus, is left intact. Because this type of surgery does not require the surgeon to make a large abdominal incision, you will not have the same kind of visible scar typical with most traditional, "open" surgeries.

LSH causes less stress to the body than the traditional "open" hysterectomy. It was developed to reduce pain, minimize scarring, and shorten recovery time. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis, which means a woman can be home resting comfortably within 24 hours and back to her normal activities in less than a week. As with all surgery, hysterectomy involves risk, including potential blood loss, infection and damage to other internal organs.

Risks:
Laparascopic hysterectomy is an elective procedure, where potential risks include those typically associated with laparascopic surgical procedures, including injury to organs or vessels, and the possibility of converting to open surgery. Consult your physician to explore all options.

» Visit ETHICON Women's Health & Urology to find out more about LSH and compare it to other hysterectomy methods

All surgeries present risks. Laparascopic hysterectomy is an elective procedure, where potential risks include those typically associated with laparascopic surgical procedures, including injury to organs or vessels, and the possibility of converting to open surgery. Consult your physician to explore all options.