Self‐reported long‐term outcomes of hysterectomy

Abstract

Objectives— –To investigate women's perceptions of and satisfaction with the long‐term outcomes from a hysterectomy performed between 2 and 10 years ago and to determine whether satisfaction is related to demographic factors, factors associated with the hysterectomy, and the number or type of perceived benefits and problems associated with the hysterectomy. Design— Retrospective survey by telephone interview and postal questionnaire of 236 women who had a hysterectomy between 2 and 10 years ago. Setting— Women who had had a hysterectomy were identified from a community survey in the Hunter Region of NSW, Australia. Subjects— Two hundred and thirty‐six women who self‐reported having had a hysterectomy between 2 and 10 years ago. Main outcome measures— Perceived benefits resulting from the hysterectomy; perceived physical and psychological problems caused by the hysterectomy; satisfaction with care. Results— Relief from heavy bleeding was the most frequent benefit (57%) and the most important benefit (32%). Most of the women reported improvements in symptoms experienced before hysterectomy but more than half the women had symptoms which they believed had been worsened or caused by the hysterectomy. Despite this, high levels of satisfaction with the operation were reported. Conclusion— The results highlight the need to examine more closely decision‐making about treatment for menstrual symptoms such as heavy bleeding.

Prospective randomized comparison of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) with abdominal hysterectomy (AH) for the treatment of the uterus weighing >200 g

“…Seven randomized clinical trials have compared LAVH with AH [7,11,[15][16][17][18]21]. These trials have been criticized on the grounds that the LAVH could have been done as primary vaginal hysterectomies.…”

Preference on the Treatments for Menorrhagia in Hong Kong Chinese Women

“…Although hysterectomy is a defi nitive treatment for menorrhagia, patients may not be as satisfi ed as expected. In a study on the long-term outcomes of hysterectomy, more than half of the women had symptoms which they believed had been worsened or caused by the hysterectomy [12] .…”

Predictors of hysterectomy: An Australian study

“…16 The most frequent longer-term benefit cited in another Australian study was relief from heavy bleeding (57%). 17 Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (menstrual problems with no determined underlying pathologic condition, a diagnosis of exclusion) is cited less commonly in the United States (6% to 18%) 18,19 than in the United Kingdom (29.9%). 13 At operation up to 80% of preoperative diagnoses would be expected to be confirmed histologically, with the remainder completely normal.…”