Discharge from the genital tract is a common occurrence for women. They can occur both normally and testify to the development of diseases. Discharges are observed with endometrial rejection during menstruation, and also accompany ovulation. The pathological secret appears due to infection with venereal pathologies, inflammation of the uterus and appendages, and oncological diseases. However, discharge may also bother women who have had a hysterectomy. In this case, it is necessary to establish their source. If a pathological secret appears, consult a doctor.
Discharges after hysterectomy: norm and pathology
The removal of the uterus is scientifically called hysterectomy. In most cases, it is carried out with oncological diseases of the female reproductive system. Sometimes an operation is performed as a preventative measure to prevent cancer.
Despite the prevalence of this method abroad, many women are afraid of the consequences of a hysterectomy. This fear is justified. After all, such an operation can lead to serious consequences. Some patients have discharge after removal of the uterus. Normally, they are observed for several days. Naturally, the discharge is not associated with endometrial rejection and the menstrual cycle. After all, after extirpation of an organ, this is impossible. In most cases, they are associated with the failure of the sutures and the oncological process that remained in the abdominal cavity. In some cases, bleeding can be caused by damage to nearby organs during surgery.
Indications for removal of the uterus
It is believed that a woman after removal of the uterus is inferior due to the inability to perform a genital function. However, such an operation is most often performed during menopause. In rare cases, a hysterectomy is performed by women of childbearing age. The main indication for the removal of the genital organ is a malignant tumor of the cervix, endometrium or appendages. If a woman is diagnosed with cancer, a hysterectomy is considered the only way to stop the pathological process and save her life. Other indications for removal of the uterus include:
- High risk of developing a tumor. Precancerous conditions are: large uterine fibroids, recurrent polyps of the endometrium, fibroids.
- Organ prolapse or omission of 3-4 degrees.
- Untreated endometriosis.
- Purulent endometritis, leading to organ destruction and inflammation of the peritoneum.
- Injuries associated with surgical interventions (organ perforation with a curette, intrauterine device).
- Complete increment of the placenta, diagnosed in the early postpartum period.
- Rupture of the uterus.
Despite the fact that hysterectomy refers to radical surgical interventions, only in this way can the patient be saved in the above diseases.
Ways to remove the uterus
There are several ways to remove the uterus. Most often, the operation is performed by open surgery. This allows you to sanitize the pelvic cavity and prevent inflammation of the peritoneum. If oncological pathology occurs, an extended hysterectomy is performed. In some cases, the removal of the uterus is performed by the laparoscopic method. The technique of surgical intervention depends on the area of the lesion, the nature of the pathological process and the age of the woman. In connection with these factors, the following methods for removing the uterus are distinguished:
- Subvaginal amputation. This operation can be carried out with myomas, endometriosis, oncological processes at an early stage. Another name for surgery is subtotal hysterectomy. It is characterized by the fact that part of the cervix and appendages are not removed. This allows a woman to lead a normal sex life.
- Extirpation of the uterus. Another name for the operation is total hysterectomy. The removal of the organ itself and the cervix is performed. Extirpation is performed for endometrial cancer, multiple polyposis, complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Also, a total hysterectomy can be performed for cervical cancer in the initial stage to patients of childbearing age.
- Operation Wertheim. It is characterized by the removal of the uterus and appendages, the upper third of the vagina, regional lymph nodes and parametric fiber. Such an operation is called radical hysterectomy. It is used in cancer practice to prevent the spread of the tumor.
In most cases, doctors try to do everything possible to preserve the sex glands - the ovaries. Especially if the patient is young or middle-aged. However, with cancerous tumors, one often has to resort to Wertheim operation.
Laparoscopic removal of the uterus: features
Hysterectomy is rarely performed by the laparoscopic method. With oncological diseases, this method of removing the uterus is practically not used, since it does not allow to accurately determine the boundaries of the tumor. Laparoscopic removal of the uterus is possible with its omission, endometriosis or large myomatous nodes.
The benefits of this surgery include a reduced risk of bleeding and a reduction in the postoperative period. In addition, the sutures after laparoscopy are almost invisible, in contrast to open hysterectomy. The operation is performed using special tools that are inserted into small holes on the anterior abdominal wall.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy has the same steps as open surgery. A distinctive feature is that all manipulations are performed using special tools. The actions of these devices are displayed on the monitor. Focusing on this, the surgeon performs all the manipulations. In some cases, the laparoscopic technique is combined with vaginal hysterectomy. Despite the advantages of the method, doctors prefer to carry out the routine removal of the uterus.
Hysterectomy: postoperative period
All women have abundant discharge after removal of the uterus. This phenomenon is considered normal during the first day. In the early postoperative period, spotting is caused by vascular damage. It should be borne in mind that hysterectomy is a serious surgical intervention in which the entire pelvic cavity is involved. Therefore, after removal of the uterus, spotting of a smearing nature is observed for a long time. They can be observed up to 6 weeks. If instead of spotting, heavy blood loss is noted, you should immediately inform your doctor. Otherwise, a complication can lead to a shock state and death.
Wearing a bandage after a hysterectomy
All women who have undergone a hysterectomy are advised to wear a postoperative bandage. Its dimensions are regulated depending on the physique of the patient. The bandage helps fix the abdominal muscles. This helps to speed up the healing of joints and the prevention of complications. Wearing a bandage is shown in the late postoperative period. A special corset is available at the pharmacy. It is especially necessary if a woman has a history of several births.
Also, all patients with weak muscles of the anterior abdominal wall should wear a postoperative bandage. The dimensions of the corset should correspond to the location of the seams. If the length of the bandage can be adjusted, then the width must be selected individually. It is recommended that the corset cover the scar 1 cm from the bottom and top.
Pathological discharge after hysterectomy
In addition to blood clots, other discharge may be observed after removal of the uterus. These include mucous and purulent pathological exudates. Similar discharge occurs in inflammatory processes in the vagina or cervical stump. Despite a hysterectomy, patients can have sex. Therefore, infection with various bacterial and viral microorganisms is not excluded.
If the discharge after removal of the uterus has an unpleasant odor or an unusual color (white, yellow, with streaks of blood), you should consult a gynecologist. The appearance of pathological fluids may indicate the spread of the tumor process. This is especially true for spotting. Therefore, this symptom can not be ignored.
Complications after surgery
Dangerous complications of hysterectomy include bleeding and peritonitis. Each of these conditions can lead to the death of the patient. Therefore, within 7-10 days, the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor.
Bleeding occurs if large pelvic vessels have been damaged and postoperative suture rupture has occurred . In this case, urgent surgery is required. The treatment is aimed at eliminating the source of bleeding and replenishing the BCC. Peritonitis develops with suppuration of internal or external sutures. It is accompanied by nausea, symptoms of intoxication and severe abdominal pain.
Removal of the uterus after 50 years: consequences and prognosis
In most cases, a hysterectomy is associated with cancer of the female genital organs. Therefore, the uterus is most often removed after 50 years. The consequences of this operation depend on the patient's condition and the presence of somatic diseases.
Basically, the operation is successful. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations, you can avoid consequences such as divergence of sutures and the formation of adhesions. In this case, after a few months, the woman returns to a normal lifestyle. The prognosis in the absence of complications and the spread of the tumor is favorable.
Treatment after hysterectomy
Treatment after removal of the uterus is aimed at preventing the development of an infectious process and bleeding. During the first days, patients are prescribed antibacterial and antimicrobial agents. These include Ceftriaxone, Metronidazole solutions. Anesthetic therapy after removal of the uterus is indicated. For several days, the drug "Ketonal" is administered intramuscularly. With blood loss, infusion therapy is performed.
Prevention of spotting
To avoid bleeding in the postoperative period, the doctor’s prescription should be followed. In the first month it is strictly forbidden to lift weights and engage in physical labor. It is necessary to exclude loads, as well as sexual contacts. It is recommended to wear a bandage. To prevent infections of the vagina and urinary organs, it is necessary to observe the rules of hygiene in the early and late postoperative period.