A (subtotal) hysterectomy involves removal of all or part of the womb. A hysterectomy is used to treat symptoms caused by fibroids, endometriosis, heavy and painful periods, and vaginal or uterine prolapses. The indicator excludes emergency hysterectomies and hysterectomies as a result of childbirth or malignant tumours. The Swiss Atlas of Healthcare contains analyses on the frequency of hysterectomies in inpatient settings overall (outpatient and inpatient), as well as separate analyses on vaginal hysterectomies (inpatient and total) and laparoscopic hysterectomies (inpatient and total).