Success and Complications of Salpingectomy at the Time of Vaginal Hysterectomy

Abstract

Study objectives: To document the success rates and complications of salpingectomy performed at the time of vaginal hysterectomy to possibly reduce ovarian cancer rates.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2).

Setting: Community-based hospital with university affiliation in Calgary, Canada.

Intervention: All women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions were offered preferentially a vaginal approach with prophylactic salpingectomy.

Measurements and main results: During the study period (October 2011 to January 2014), a total of 425 vaginal hysterectomies were performed. The overall success rate of salpingectomy was 88%. Pelvic adhesions significantly predicted the ability to perform salpingectomies (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-14.3; p < .001). Age also was predictive of outcomes (p = .007), with increasing age predicting decrease success. The overall postoperative complication rate was 15%, with 3.8% possibly attributable to salpingectomy (i.e., intrapelvic complications). No associated factors were found on regression analysis.

Conclusion: Salpingectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy is a feasible procedure. Complication rates are low. Only pelvic adhesions are associated with failure to complete a salpingectomy.

Keywords: Surgical outcome; Vaginal salpingectomy.