Primary investigators at the Civic and General campuses of Ottawa Hospital and physicians at the Preoperative Assessment Unit (PAU) at both campuses will identify patients undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy. These patients will be offered an opportunity to participate in the study during standard pre-anesthetic assessment at the Pre-Admission Unit by an anesthesiologist. During this assessment a full medical history, a complete physical exam, and appropriate investigations will be carried out.