Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It may also involve removal of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures. Usually performed by a gynecologist, a hysterectomy may be total (removing the body, fundus, and cervix of the uterus; often called "complete") or partial (removal of the uterine body while leaving the cervix intact; also called "supracervical"). It is the second most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure, after cesarean section, in the United States. In 2015, according to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, more than 400,000 hysterectomies were performed in the United States, of which, nearly 68 percent were performed for benign conditions such as endometriosis, irregular bleeding and uterine fibroids. Such rates being highest in the industrialized world has led to the major controversy that hysterectomies are being largely performed for unwarranted and unnecessary reasons. However, more recent data suggests that the number of hysterectomies performed has declined in every state in the United States. In fact, from 2010 to 2013, there were 12 percent fewer hysterectomies performed, and the types of hysterectomies were more minimally invasive in nature, reflected by a 17 percent increase in laparoscopic procedures. This suggests that patients are finding viable alternatives to manage their symptoms before opting for hysterectomy.