The Debate Over Sparing the Cervix in Hysterectomies

The Wall Street Journal

For decades, surgeons performing a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, typically cut out the woman's cervix as well. If it were left in, doctors reasoned, it could develop cancer.

Now, a growing number of gynecologists are marketing "cervix-sparing" hysterectomies if cancer isn't present. The chance of cervical cancer is fairly low, and Pap-smear screening will catch most cases, these doctors say. And leaving the cervix untouched reduces the risk of surgical damage to the bladder and nearby nerves, and may even allow a woman to enjoy a better sex life long term, say doctors who perform these procedures ... Read More