Access to Hysterectomy-What Is the Realistic Rate for Pure Vaginal Hysterectomy? A Single-Center Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hysterectomy (HE) is the most common surgical procedure in gynecology worldwide. The guidelines of most countries unanimously recommend vaginal hysterectomy (VH) as the access of first choice. However, there are significant international differences in the implementation of this recommendation. Methods: In the consistent implementation of the national guidelines, the aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to evaluate how many hysterectomies can be performed vaginally under real-world conditions for benign indications excluding genital prolapse and extensive endometriosis. For this purpose, the requirements of the guidelines were implemented for all HE cases. All HEs were performed by a single, experienced surgeon. The aim was not to go to the limits of the method, but to develop a reproducible benchmark with the lowest possible complication rate. Results: From 2011 to 2020, 230 hysterectomies were performed for benign indications. A VH was performed in 146 cases (63.5%), and a laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) in 75 cases (32.6%). An abdominal hysterectomy (AH) was only required in nine cases (3.9%). The decision for LH was made in half of the cases due to the assumed presence of endometriosis or a significantly enlarged uterus. The median duration of VH was 32 min (range 16-118 min), and the uterine weights were 15-540 g. The rate of postoperative complications of VH was 3.4%. Conclusions: In line with international guidelines, VH is possible in over 60% of cases with a short surgical time and a low complication rate. LH procedures are useful in the presence of assumed additional pathology in 35%. AH is reserved for huge uteri. A reduction in AH below 10% is possible. The global target could be a rate of 60-30-10% for VH, LH, and AH.

Keywords: access to hysterectomy; minimally invasive hysterectomy; reduction in abdominal hysterectomy; vaginal hysterectomy.

Figure 1

Choosing the hysterectomy approach. Cases of prolapse and deep-infiltrating endometriosis were excluded. VH = vaginal hysterectomy, LH = laparoscopic hysterectomy, AH = abdominal hysterectomy.

Figure 2

Percentage changes in the access route to hysterectomy after the introduction of LAVH (1991–2001) and during the study period (2011–2020). The time between 2001–2011 is not part of this analysis (dotted lines).

Figure 3

Whisker box plot: (a) surgery time for different types of hysterectomies; (b) uterine weight of different types of hysterectomies. * Extreme values; ° outlier.