Supracervical Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy refers to removal of all or part of the uterus. The uterus is made of two parts. There is the upper part or fundus of the uterus. The fundus of the uterus is composed of muscle and the uterine cavity. Inside the uterine cavity is where the endometrium or uterine lining is and also where the fetus grows in pregnancy. The uterine cavity is where normal menstrual bleeding comes from. Abnormalites of the uterus like fibroid tumors or abnormal endometrium arise from the fundus of the uterus.

The lower part of the uterus that attaches to the top of the vagina is called the cervix. The cervix normally functions to hold a pregnancy within the uterus. The cervix also functions to help support the organs of the pelvic floor like the vagina, bladder and rectum.

If a supracervical (partial) hysterectomy is performed,  then the upper portion (fundus) of the uterus is removed, leaving the lower portion or cervix attached to the top of the vagina. Leaving the cervix attached to the vagina may reduce the chance of pelvic support problems and may help reduce the chance of developing urinary incontinence following hysterectmy. Annual Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening for cervical cancer should be continued when the cervix is not removed at the time of hysterectomy.  While extremely uncommon, it is possible that a small amount of uterine tissue is left near the cervix causing scant bleeding to occur with the menstrual cycle.

A supracervical hysterectomy does not refer to the removal of the ovaries and tubes. These organs may or may not be removed at the time of a supracervical hysterectomy.  The most common supracervical hysterectomy is the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH).  Learn more about the benefits of LSH.