Supracervical Hysterectomy

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Dr. Mark Smith: “Good afternoon, we’re back at the 1999 AAGL. I have with me Dr. Sue Johnson who is actually the OBGYN.net Representative for Oregon, and we’re honored and pleased to have you in the booth with us. Thanks for coming today.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Thank you very much.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “Essentially, everybody knows there’s a lot of discussions, controversies, and debates right now about the resurgence or reemergence, if you will, of the supracervical hysterectomy versus the traditional kind we’ve always done, the pros and cons of each, and it’s a debate that goes on and on. Dr. Johnson is doing supracervical hysterectomies, and I just would like her to tell us a little bit of what the situation is in her home state of Oregon – Dr. Johnson.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Thank you. Primarily, supracervical hysterectomy is chosen right now by women who have done a lot of self-education once they realize that hysterectomy is part of what they’re going to have to consider for a treatment option. They’re highly motivated but as the conference here has confirmed, the studies are quite good, this is an acceptable method, and it’s quite safe. There’s a learning curve for many physicians but it’s well worth the time because patient outcomes are excellent. They’re absolutely excellent, and continued Pap smears will be needed but no one looks at that as a problem if the woman has made the decision that her cervix is important to keep.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “Absolutely, I’ve found the same thing in my practice. It’s amazing how well they do.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Extremely well. I think the endoscopic approach, even if it’s a total hysterectomy, is something that is really superior. I have patients who are returning to work in two weeks. I have patients whether or not they are returning to work who are doing better much more quickly, requiring less analgesia, and happy about it.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “Absolutely. So your patients with the supracervical hysterectomy - isn’t it dramatic how quickly they’re returning?”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Oh my goodness.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “It is indeed impressive, isn’t it?”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Yes, I have one patient who assures me that whenever she’s talking to friends about her experience this past year, she raises her shirt and shows them her incisions.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “Her incisions.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Yes.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “The first one that I did wanted to go home the same day, that was a 7:30 case. I called at noon to check on her, and she had already gone home from her supracervical hysterectomy.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Actually, I had a very similar experience with a patient, she was in her room on the phone by noon and spent the entire day talking and had friends come visit. Her husband worked at the hospital so she was busy all day and night. Her biggest post-operative complication was her sore throat the next morning.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “From talking on the phone.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “From talking on the phone and in person - couldn’t keep her down.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “Thank you very much, Dr. Johnson, for joining us here.”

Dr. Susan Johnson: “Thank you very much.”

Dr. Mark Smith: “And we’ll look forward to seeing you next year.”