Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday, January 17 that Kate Middleton underwent a scheduled abdominal surgery at the London Clinic on Tuesday and was described as “successful” by the Palace.
However, the Princess of Wales will have to stay two weeks in the hospital for her recovery.
Given the little information given by the Kensington Palace in the statement, no one knows exactly what kind of abdominal operation Kate Middleton underwent.
For royal expert Phil Dampier, the reason for Kate’s surgery had to be something “serious” because of the time the princess will remain in the hospital.
Kate Middleton: What is abdominal surgery
According to MedlinePlus, abdominal surgery is any surgical procedure that requires opening the abdomen, also called a laparotomy.
There are several types of abdominal surgery, each with a specific purpose to treat conditions or injuries to organs located in the abdominal cavity.
Abdominal surgery types
Below, you will learn about some common abdominal surgery procedures.
Appendectomy
Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix through an incision in the abdomen. It is usually performed to treat appendicitis, an inflammation of the appendix. In some cases, it is removed preventively during another surgery.
Inguinal hernia surgery
They are used to repair an inguinal hernia, which occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through an opening or weakness in the abdominal wall of the groin.
Laparoscopy
A minimally invasive approach in which small tubes with a camera and equipment are inserted through very small incisions. It allows to see inside the abdomen and to intervene in procedures such as gallbladder removal without having to make large cuts.
Exploratory laparotomy
Laparotomy is performed to directly examine organs and structures within the abdominal cavity, usually to identify a source of bleeding or to assess damage from trauma.
Abdominal hysterectomy
Abdominal hysterectomy is an operation to remove the uterus through a cut in the lower belly, also called the abdomen.
In a partial hysterectomy, the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left behind. In a total hysterectomy, the uterus and cervix are removed.
According to the Mayo Clinic, reasons for undergoing a hysterectomy may include the following:
- Cancer.
- Fibroids.
- Endometriosis.
- Uterine prolapse.
- Heavy and irregular vaginal bleeding.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
- Sex confirmation surgery.
It should be noted that after undergoing a hysterectomy, a woman can no longer become pregnant.
While no details were provided about the specific procedure Kate underwent, Kensington Palace only stated that it was “abdominal surgery” without giving further details. The abdominal hysterectomy is the one that resonates the most.
The palace made it clear that further updates will only be provided “when there is significant new information to share.”
Kensington Palace announces Kate has cancer, and releases personal message from the Princess.
Kensington Palace announced Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis on 22 March, accompanied by a personal message from the Princess herself.
The palace stressed the importance of medical privacy and declined to reveal the specific type of cancer.
No detailed timetable was given for Kate’s recovery or for her return to public life.
Kate also expressed gratitude for the support she received and said she would focus on her recovery before returning to work.
Both Kate and Prince William thanked the public for their good wishes and asked that they respect her privacy during this difficult time.