As we mentioned in previous articles, endometriosis growing somewhere else other than the endometrium also reacts to hormonal signals of the monthly menstrual cycle by building up tissue, breaking it, and eliminating it through the menstrual period. Hysterectomy is always the last resort in treating endometriosis for women who have exhausted all treatments without success, or if endometrial tissues have become cancerous, her doctor may suggest some kind of hysterectomy. If the hysterectomy is decided and the gynecologist is chosen then pre-operative evaluation is necessary to make sure that all requirements are met for a successful operation.
In this article, we will discuss electrocardiograms and chest X-Rays as pre-operative evaluations before a hysterectomy.
1. Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is needed for women with endometriosis before hysterectomy. EKG is a record of the electrical activities of the heart over a duration of 20- 30 minutes. With the selective electrodes placed on different places of the heart, EKG can measure the activity of different parts of the heart's muscles. It is also used to measure the function of abnormal rhythms in the heart. Women who are over 40 years of age and have past history of heart diseases, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes will need to have EKG done before a hysterectomy.
2. Chest X ray (CXR)
Chest X-ray is a projection radiograph taken by a radiological technologist. An X-ray is necessary for women before hysterectomy if in the previous six months she has been diagnosed with symptoms of acute lung injury.
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