[Feeling of illness after hysterectomy. Women's own assessment]

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the time interval from the operation to no feeling of illness at all in a population of women, who had undergone a total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy.

Material and methods: Data on 361 women who had had a total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy during the period, 1.1.1998 to 31.3.1999 were collected from a regional database. Those born before 1.1.1940, presented with a genital malignancy, had a diagnosis of genital prolapse, or received surgery in addition to the hysterectomy were excluded. Four months after the hysterectomy, all the women were sent a questionnaire asking about the time of returning to work and the complete absence of any feeling of illness. This information was related to selected perioperative data. Women who had had a total abdominal hysterectomy were not statistically comparable with those who had had a vaginal hysterectomy.

Results: A total of 313 women participated (87%). After a total abdominal hysterectomy, 92%, 80%, and 35% had a subjective feeling of illness at four, six, and ten weeks, respectively. The median duration of feeling ill was nine weeks. The figures after a vaginal hysterectomy were 85%, 71%, and 18%, with a median duration of feeling ill of seven weeks. Only peroperative blood loss and the presence of postoperative complications related statistically to the duration of feeling ill.

Conclusion: The interval between the operation and no feeling of illness at all after a total abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy is longer than was formerly believed. Further investigation is recommended.