total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH)

Indications

• cervical cancer
• endometrial cancer
• uterine fibroids
• endometriosis
• uterine prolapse
• persistent vaginal bleeding
• chronic pelvic pain

Procedure

• surgical removal of the entire uterus, sometimes in association with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy if the ovaries are diseased or no longer functional

Notes

• ovarian conservation until at least age 65 may benefit long-term survival for women undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease & who are not at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

More general terms

• hysterectomy

More specific terms

• total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectory (TAH-BSO)