The return of subtotal hysterectomy

Sexual functioning after total versus subtotal laparoscopic hysterectomy

AIM

To evaluate postoperative sexual functioning and the influence of patients' expectations on the change in sexuality following laparoscopic total (TLH) versus subtotal hysterectomy (LASH).

METHODS

A total of 120 women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy were preoperatively enrolled in this bicentric prospective study. Sexual functioning (SF) was evaluated using the female sexual function index (FSFI). Additionally, participants filled in a standardised questionnaire concerning expected changes in SF after surgery. At 3, 6 and 12 months following surgery, women were asked again to assess their level of SF (FSFI). Data of women who participated in at least one FSFI follow-up assessment were analysed (n = 92). We compared the change in SF after surgery between patients with TLH (n = 46) and LASH (n = 46). Additionally, we calculated regression analyses with the patients' expectations as a predictor for change in FSFI scores.

RESULTS

Comparing the change of FSFI scores after surgery in both collectives revealed differences only 3 months after surgery, as improvement was stronger for the LASH collective compared to the THL group (p = 0.006). There were no changes comparing collectives after 6 (p = 0.663) and 12 (p = 0.326) months. Concerning patients' expectations, for the LASH group baseline SF (p < 0.001), but not expectations (p = 0.567) predicted the strength of change at each of the follow ups: a lower level of baseline SF was linked to a stronger improvement after surgery. For the THL collective, both baseline SF (p < 0.001) as well as patients' expectations (3 months: p = 0.077, 6 months: p = 0.37, 12 months: p = 0.024) predicted the strength of change: both, a lower level of baseline SF and higher expectations towards an improvement predicted a stronger improvement.

CONCLUSION

The preservation of the cervix does not show an advantage in improving SF after surgery. Both methods induce a comparable improvement in long-time SF, especially in patients with an impaired sexuality pre-surgery. Furthermore, patients' expectations concerning this matter seem to have an impact on the postoperative outcome; therefore, this circumstance should be considered in future projects.

Total versus subtotal hysterectomy: an observational study with one-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to compare total and subtotal abdominal hysterectomy for benign indications, with regard to urinary incontinence, postoperative complications, quality of life (SF-36), constipation, prolapse, satisfaction with sexual life, and pelvic pain at 1-year postoperative. Eighty women chose total and 105 women chose subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. No significant differences were found between the 2 operation methods in any of the outcome measures at 12 months. Fourteen women (15%) from the subtotal abdominal hysterectomy group experienced vaginal bleeding and three women had their cervix removed.

Sexuality after total vs. subtotal hysterectomy

BACKGROUND

The effect of hysterectomy on sexuality is not fully elucidated and until recently total and subtotal hysterectomies have only been compared in observational studies.

AIMS

To compare total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) to subtotal abdominal hysterectomy (SAH) regarding effects on sexuality.

METHODS

In a Danish multicenter trial 319 women were randomized to TAH (n = 158) or SAH (n = 161); 185 women had self-selected TAH (n = 80) or SAH (n = 105) in a simultaneously conducted observational study. Women were followed for 1 year by strict data collection procedures, including postal questionnaires. Results were analyzed by intention to treat (ITT) analyses.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between TAH and SAH at 1-year follow-up in both the randomized trial and the observational study regarding women's desire for sex, frequency of intercourse, frequency of orgasm, quality of orgasm, localization of orgasm, satisfaction with sexual life, and dyspareunia. None of these sexual variables changed significantly from entry to the 1-year follow-up, apart from dyspareunia, which was significantly (p = 0.009) reduced in both intervention groups. Significant (p < 0.05) predictors for satisfaction with sexual life after hysterectomy were the preoperative satisfaction with sexual life [odds ratio (OR) 32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 10-125], good relationship with partner (OR 50, 95% CI 9-354), physical well-being (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-0.88) and hormone replacement therapy (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Both TAH and SAH significantly reduce dyspareunia without having a negative effect on sexual function. The shift toward SAH seems unwarranted.

Danish gynecologists' opinion about hysterectomy on benign indication: results of a survey

AIMS

To survey Danish gynecologists' recommendations concerning hysterectomy and its method for benign diseases.

METHODS

A questionnaire of seven clinical cases was sent to all gynecologists in Denmark (n = 450). The gynecologists were asked to recommend one of 14 possible treatments as the most appropriate for each case. In cases of hysterectomy the gynecologists were asked to rate the appropriateness of oophorectomy. Questions about age, employment, geographic area, sex of the gynecologist and preference of the hysterectomy method for themselves/their wives were included. RESULTS. THE RESPONSE RATE WAS: 73%. For women aged > or = 50 years meno-metrorrhagia and symptomatic fibroids seemed to be important for hysterectomy recommendations, and for those aged < 50 years asymptomatic fibroids and unexplained pelvic pain seemed important for recommendation of other treatments. Employment, gender and geographic area influenced the recommendation of hysterectomy, and employment and geographic area only for the recommended method. Most of the gynecologists recommended the abdominal route and preferred the subtotal method. The gynecologists agreed on the recommendation concerning oophorectomy in cases of women aged under 46 years and over 55 years. Disagreement was found in cases of perimenopausal women. The gynecologists' preferences for hysterectomy methods did not differ from their recommendations for the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Agreement regarding the recommendation of hysterectomy was found in cases of postmenopausal metrorrhagia, while disagreement was found in cases of asymptomatic leiomyomas and unexplained pelvic pain. The gynecologists preferred the abdominal route and the subtotal hysterectomy method. Certain attributes of the gynecologists were found to be important to the recommendation of hysterectomy and its method.