Subtotal versus total abdominal hysterectomy: randomized clinical trial with 14-year questionnaire follow-up

Total or Subtotal Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Endometriosis: A Review

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the review was to evaluate and compare outcomes after total or subtotal hysterectomy in women with endometriosis or adenomyosis.

METHODS

We searched four electronic databases: Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (WoS). The first aim of the study was to compare outcomes after total and subtotal hysterectomy in women with endometriosis, and the second aim was to compare the two procedures in women with adenomyosis. Publications that reported short- and long-term outcomes after total and subtotal hysterectomy were included in the review. The search was not subject to any limitation in terms of time or method.

RESULTS

After screening 4948 records, we included 35 studies published from 1988 to 2021; the studies were based on various methodologies. With regard to the first aim of the review, we found 32 eligible studies and divided these into the following four categories: postoperative short- and long-term outcomes, recurrence of endometriosis, quality of life and sexual function, and patient satisfaction after total or subtotal hysterectomy in women with endometriosis. Five investigations were deemed eligible for the second aim of the review. No differences were seen in terms of postoperative short- and long-term outcomes after subtotal or total hysterectomy in women with endometriosis or adenomyosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Preservation or removal of the cervix in women with endometriosis or adenomyosis appears to have no effect on short- or long-term outcomes, recurrence of endometriosis, quality of life and sexual function, or patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, we lack randomized blinded controlled trials on these aspects. Such trials will be needed to enhance our comprehension of both surgical approaches.

[Guidelines for Clinical Practice of the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 2021: Prophylactic procedures associated with gynecologic surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To draw up recommendations on the use of prophylactic gynecologic procedures during surgery for other indications.

DESIGN

A consensus panel of 19 experts was convened. A formal conflict of interest policy was established at the onset of the process and applied throughout. The entire study was performed independently without funding from pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers. The panel applied the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) system to evaluate the quality of evidence on which the recommendations were based. The authors were advised against making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence. Some recommendations were ungraded.

METHODS

The panel studied 22 key questions on seven prophylactic procedures: 1) salpingectomy, 2) fimbriectomy, 3) salpingo-oophorectomy, 4) ablation of peritoneal endometriosis, 5) adhesiolysis, 6) endometrial excision or ablation, and 7) cervical ablation.

RESULTS

The literature search and application of the GRADE system resulted in 34 recommendations. Six were supported by high-quality evidence (GRADE 1+/-) and 28 by low-quality evidence (GRADE 2+/-). Recommendations on two questions were left ungraded due to a lack of evidence in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

A high level of consensus was achieved among the experts regarding the use of prophylactic gynecologic procedures. The ensuing recommendations should result in improved current practice.

Impact of Hysterectomy on Quality of Life, Urinary Incontinence, Sexual Functions and Urethral Length

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different types of hysterectomy on UI symptoms, quality of life and sexual functions using dedicated questionnaires. We investigated a correlation between the urethral length (UL), UI symptoms and the length of the cervix (left after LSH and SH) with sexual functions. The study enrolled 500 consecutive women referred for hysterectomy: 121 underwent VH, 171 underwent LSH, 96 underwent SH, 68 underwent TAH, and 44 underwent TLH. The patients filled in the UI-specific questionnaires and FSFI before and 12 months after hysterectomy. The UL was measured by introital ultrasound before and 12 months after hysterectomy. Before surgery, 137 out of 399 (34.3%) patients had UI symptoms; afterwards, 139 (34.8%) indicated the same (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the UL in the patients before and after the procedure, and the cervix length did not differ between patients after LSH and SH. When the entire investigated population was analyzed, a significant improvement of the QoL was found on the IIQ-7. Hysterectomy performed due to benign diseases has effects on UI regardless of the surgical technique used. The UI symptoms improved only in the patients after LSH. The UL measured 12 months after hysterectomy did not change.

Should we perform cervix removal during hysterectomy for benign uterine disease? Clinical practice guidelines from the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF)

OBJECTIVE

To provide guidelines from the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF), based on the best evidence available, concerning subtotal or total hysterectomy, for benign disease.

METHODS

The CNGOF has decided to adopt the AGREE II and GRADE systems for grading scientific evidence. Each recommendation for practice was allocated a grade, which depends on the quality of evidence (QE) (clinical practice guidelines).

RESULTS

Conservation of the uterine cervix is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer (0.05 to 0.27%) and an increased risk of reoperation for cervical bleeding (QE: high). Uterine cervix removal is associated with a moderate (about 11 min) increase in operative time when hysterectomy is performed by the open abdominal route (laparotomy), but is not associated with longer operative time when the hysterectomy is performed by laparoscopy (QE: moderate). Removal of the uterine cervix is not associated with increased prevalence of short-term follow-up complications (blood transfusion, ureteral or bladder injury) (QE: low) or of long-term follow-up complications (pelvic organ prolapse, sexual disorders, urinary incontinence (QE: moderate).

CONCLUSION

Removal of the uterine cervix is recommended for hysterectomy in women presenting with benign uterine disease (Recommendation: STRONG [GRADE 1-]; the level of evidence was considered to be sufficient and the risk-benefit balance was considered to be favorable).

Er:YAG laser in hysterectomized women with stress urinary incontinence: a VELA retrospective cohort, non-inferiority study

Objective: To test whether the erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) SMOOTH^® laser treatment efficacy on stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in hysterectomized patients is non-inferior to its efficacy in non-hysterectomized patients.Methods: In this real-world, retrospective cohort study performed in Turkey, Croatia and Italy, we enrolled a consecutive sample of 35 hysterectomized and 34 non-hysterectomized patients with SUI. We used the Er:YAG SMOOTH^® laser (Fotona, Slovenia) with a wave length of 2940 nm. The primary outcome was median reduction of SUI symptoms measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short-Form (ICIQ-SF) with the non-inferiority margin defined as the minimum clinically important difference of ICIQ-SF (δ < 2.52 points).Results: In hysterectomized patients, the ICIQ-SF was reduced by 5 points (95% confidence interval 3-8; p < 0.001), a reduction of 45% (95% confidence interval 36-67%). After adjustment for baseline ICIQ-SF and five covariates, the reduction of symptoms in the hysterectomized group was not inferior to the reduction in the non-hysterectomized group.Conclusion: The Er:YAG SMOOTH^® laser treatment seems to improve the symptoms of SUI in hysterectomized women not clinically relevantly less than in non-hysterectomized women. It seems that the beneficial effect of Er:YAG SMOOTH^® laser treatment for SUI in hysterectomized women is time-limited.

Identifying the superior surgical procedure for endometrial cancer: A protocol of network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecologic tumors, with a high incidence in developed countries. Although the overall prognosis is good, some women have invasive tumors, the risk of recurrence, and death is high. The common surgical methods used in EC are total-abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), total-vaginal hysterectomy (TVH), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and total-laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) including both conventional and robotically assisted.

METHODS

The literature search was performed in The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. The search date is until June 2019. The risk of bias of included RCTs was assessed by 2 investigators according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Network meta-analysis will be conducted by R software.

RESULTS

This study is ongoing and the results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis will provide clinical staff with current and reliable information on the best surgical approach for EC. Ethical approval is not applicable, since this is a network mate-analysis based on published articles. The protocol has been registered on PROSPERO under the number CRD42019128094.

Urinary incontinence following subtotal and total hysterectomy: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the best surgical approach for the female urinary incontinence.

METHODS

Systematic review conducted in MEDLINE® Cochrane, EMBASE and LILACS database up to September 1st, 2017. Articles were selected according to study type, type of intervention and outcomes. Articles were selected by more than one researcher based on title, abstract and full text. The SIGN checklist was used for bias assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 165 articles were retrieved from MEDLINE® . Twenty-five studies were elected for full text reading, and 11 of them were selected for the final text analysis. The heterogeneity between questionnaires used in different studies precluded a meta-analysis of results.

CONCLUSION

This study yielded evidences supporting the hypothesis that total and subtotal hysterectomy have different impacts on urinary function of patients with benign uterine diseases. Articles revealed higher frequency of urinary incontinence following subtotal compared to total hysterectomy.

Changes in incontinence after hysterectomy

PURPOSE

Information about the perioperative incontinence following hysterectomy is limited. To advance the postoperative rehabilitation further we need more information about qualitative changes in incontinence, fatigue and physical function of patients undergoing hysterectomy.

METHODS

108 patients undergoing planned hysterectomy were compared pre- and postoperatively. In a sub-study of the prospective follow-up study the changes in incontinence, postoperative fatigue, quality of life, physical function, and body composition were evaluated preoperatively, 13 and 30 days postoperatively. Sample size calculation indicated that 102 women had to be included. The incontinence status was estimated by a Danish version of the ICIG questionnaire; further, visual analogue scale, dynamometer for hand grip, knee extension strength and balance were applied. Work capacity was measured ergometer cycle together with lean body mass by impedance. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Patients were examined preoperatively and twice postoperatively.

RESULTS

In total 41 women improved their incontinence after hysterectomy and 10 women reported deterioration. Preoperative stress incontinence correlated with BMI (r = 0.25, p < 0.01) and urge incontinence with age (r = 0.24, p < 0.02). Further, improvement after hysterectomy in stress incontinence was associated with younger age (r = 0.20, p < 0.04). Improvement in urge incontinence was positively associated with BMI (r = 0.22, p = 0.02). A slight but significant loss was seen in lean body mass 13 and 30 days postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysterectomy was not significantly associated with the risk of incontinence; in particular, when no further vaginal surgery is performed. Hysterectomy may even have a slightly positive effect on incontinence and de-novo cure.

Hysterectomy is not associated with de-novo urinary incontinence: A ten-year cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine prevalence, incidence proportion, and changes of urinary incontinence (UI) 10-13 years after hysterectomy compared to two control groups.

STUDY DESIGN

A longitudinal cohort study of 661 women with follow-up for ten years. Originally, 866 women answered a questionnaire on continence status preoperatively. Ten years postoperatively the queries were repeated in 371 with a hysterectomy, 89 with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 201 with transcervical endometrial resection (TCRE). Significant incontinence was UI at least once a week. The main outcome measures were prevalence and incidence proportions of UI.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of stress UI ten years after surgery was 23% compared to 12% preoperatively. Urge UI was prevalent in 12% compared to 5% preoperatively. Incidence proportions of stress UI were in hysterectomies 21%, in LC 15%, and in TCRE 18%. Similarly, incidence proportions of urge UI were in hysterectomies 11%, in LC 11%, and in TCRE 8%. No significant differences between surgical procedures were found; however, we found substantial amount of changes in continence status from continent to incontinent and vice versa in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant difference was found after hysterectomy compared to controls in the prevalence or incidence proportions of UI after 10 years follow-up. Hysterectomy is not a risk factor of UI.

Factors influencing the incidence and remission of urinary incontinence after hysterectomy

BACKGROUND

Studies on the influence of body mass index, smoking, and mode of delivery on the occurrence of urinary incontinence after hysterectomy are required to provide women with information about how these factors influence continence after a hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the impact of lifestyle factors such as body mass index, smoking, and delivery mode (vaginal/cesarean) on the incidence and remission of urinary incontinence after hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cohort study based on pre-, per-, and postoperative (1 year) data retrieved from the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery on 16,182 hysterectomies performed because of a benign indication between 2006 and 2013. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for de novo urinary incontinence and postoperative remission of urinary incontinence, presented as adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

De novo urinary incontinence was reported by 8.5%, remission of urinary incontinence by 13.3%, and residual urinary incontinence by 16.1% after the hysterectomy. A body mass index ≥30 kg/m² (odds ratio, 1.63, 95% confidence interval, 1.37-1.94), having undergone a vaginal delivery (odds ratio, 1.40, 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.86), the presence of daily urge without incontinence prior to surgery (odds ratio, 1.77, 95% confidence interval, 1.47-2.13), and a uterine weight <500 g (odds ratio, 2.46, 95% confidence interval, 1.96-3.09) were associated with an increased risk of de novo urinary incontinence. A uterine weight >300 g (odds ratio, 1.98, 95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.33), body mass index <25 kg/m² (odds ratio, 1.22, 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.47), prolapse (odds ratio, 2.25, 95% confidence interval, 1.60-3.18), or fibroids (odds ratio, 1.33, 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.62) as indication for surgery and the absence of daily urge without incontinence preoperatively (odds ratio, 1.51, 95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.76) were associated with an increased remission of urinary incontinence. Vaginal compared with abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a decreased remission of urinary incontinence (odds ratio, 0.70, 95% confidence interval, 0.57-0.87). There was no effect of age or smoking or a difference between total and subtotal hysterectomy with regard to de novo urinary incontinence or remission of urinary incontinence after the hysterectomy. Residual urinary incontinence and de novo urinary incontinence significantly reduced satisfaction with surgery 1 year postoperatively compared with women without urinary incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Vaginal delivery, obesity, and daily urge symptoms without incontinence prior to surgery increased de novo urinary incontinence and had a negative influence on the rate of remission of urinary incontinence after hysterectomy, which in turn influenced patients' satisfaction with surgery.

Long-term follow-up of the outcome of supracervical versus total abdominal hysterectomy

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Hysterectomy for benign indications can be performed either as a supracervical or a total procedure. It is controversial whether removing the cervix is beneficial or not. This study aimed at comparing long-term outcomes after supracervical (n = 107) and total (n = 105) abdominal hysterectomy.

METHODS

Two prospective questionnaire-based studies were conducted among the original 212 patients operated on between February 1978 and May 1979 at Turku University Hospital, Finland. In the first study in 1997, a nonvalidated questionnaire was mailed to 193 patients to inquire about any postoperative symptoms. In the second study in 2011, a validated questionnaire and an invitation to a follow-up visit were sent to 153 women. During the visit, pelvic support was assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. Additionally, hospital records were reviewed to identify any gynecological operations at both evaluation times.

RESULTS

In the first evaluation, the response rate was 94 %, and in the second, the rate was 62 %. Objective evaluation was possible in 75 women in 2011, 37 in the supracervical group and 38 in the total hysterectomy group. There were no significant differences in the rates of subjective urinary and sexual symptoms or subsequent operations for urinary incontinence and genital prolapse between women in the supracervical group and women in the total hysterectomy group. Four patients in the supracervical group required a re-operation: three for a prolapsed cervical stump and one for a cervical abscess.

CONCLUSIONS

Supracervical and total hysterectomies resulted in similar postoperative outcomes regarding subjective symptoms and subsequent gynecological operations during a follow-up of 33 years.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ): NCT02166749.

Is the Uterus a Sexual Organ? Sexual Function Following Hysterectomy

INTRODUCTION

Hysterectomy has been a mainstay of gynecologic therapy for 100 years. It can be postulated that hysterectomy could affect female sexual function due to psychological factors, and also due to disruption of the local nerve and blood supply and the intimate anatomical relationships of the pelvic organs.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of hysterectomy performed for benign conditions on female sexual function.

METHODS

Peer-reviewed publications were identified through a PubMed search using the search terms "hysterectomy," "benign," "sexual function," "dyspareunia," "orgasm," "libido," and "dysfunction." The search was completed through to February 2015 and was limited to articles published in English.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measure was sexual function after hysterectomy for benign conditions. As hysterectomy is performed via various routes, abdominal (open and laparoscopic) and vaginal, sexual function in each group was evaluated.

RESULTS

Studies were of varying methodology. Majority of women demonstrated either unchanged or improved sexual function after hysterectomy performed by any route in the short term. A significant minority of women reported sexual dysfunction following hysterectomy. Deterioration in sexual function was found on long-term follow-up, which is probably an effect of aging and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. There were no proven benefits supracervical compared with total hysterectomy either in the short term (up to 2 years postsurgery) or long term (up to 15 years after hysterectomy).

CONCLUSIONS

Women can be positively reassured that hysterectomy does not negatively affect sexuality. Health professions should be aware that a minority of women may develop adverse effects after the operation. Preoperative education about the potential negative sexual outcomes after surgery may enhance satisfaction with hysterectomy, independent of whether negative sexual outcomes are experienced. Thakar R. Is the uterus a sexual organ? Sexual function following hysterectomy.

Lower urinary tract symptoms after subtotal versus total abdominal hysterectomy: exploratory analyses from a randomized clinical trial with a 14-year follow-up

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common after hysterectomy and increase after menopause. We aimed to compare subtotal with total abdominal hysterectomy regarding LUTS, including urinary incontinence (UI) subtypes, 14 years after hysterectomy. Main results from this randomized clinical trial have been published previously; the analyses covered in this paper are exploratory.

METHODS

We performed a long-term questionnaire follow-up of women in a randomized clinical trial (n = 319), from 1996 to 2000 comparing subtotal with total abdominal hysterectomy. Of the randomized women, ten had died and five had left Denmark; 304 women were contacted. For univariate analyses, a χ(2)-test was used, and for multivariate analyses, we used logistic regression.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was answered by 197 (64.7 %) women (subtotal 97; total 100). More women had subjective stress UI (SUI) in the subtotal group (n = 60; 62.5 %) compared with the total group (n = 45; 45 %), with a relative risk (RR) of 1.39 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.81; P = 0.014]. No difference was seen between subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy in other LUTS. Factors associated with UI were UI prior to hysterectomy, local estrogen treatment, and body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2). High BMI was primarily associated with mixed UI (MUI) and urgency symptoms. Predictors of bothersome LUTS were UI and incomplete bladder emptying.

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in the frequency of subjectively assessed UI between subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy (published previously) is caused by a difference in subjectively assessed SUI; UI prior to hysterectomy and high BMI are related to UI 14 years after hysterectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov under Nykoebing Falster County Hospital Record sj-268: Total versus subtotal hysterectomy: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01880710?term=hysterectomy&rank=27.

Objective comparison of subtotal vs. total abdominal hysterectomy regarding pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence: a randomized controlled trial with 14-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To compare subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy regarding objective assessment of pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and voiding function 14 years after hysterectomy for benign diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of subtotal vs. total abdominal hysterectomy with objective outcomes. All randomized women still alive and living in Denmark (n=304) were invited to answer a questionnaire and come for clinical examination consisting of 20-min pad weighing test, urinary flow, measurement of residual urine, POP-Q measurement for pelvic organ prolapse, 3 day voiding diary and also filled out the pelvic floor distress inventory (PFDI-20) questionnaire.

RESULTS

We included 100/304 (32.9%) women (subtotal hysterectomy: 53, total hysterectomy: 47) in the clinical examinations. The study questionnaire was answered by 197 (64.8%) (subtotal: 97, total: 100), the PFDI-20 questionnaire was answered by 140 (46.1%) (subtotal: 68, total: 72). We found no difference between subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy in the PFDI-20 scores or regarding objectively assessed urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. In the subtotal hysterectomy group, 31 (59.6%) women had objective stage 2 pelvic organ prolapse compared with 33 (70.2%) in the total hysterectomy group (P=0.27); however, only 6/31 and 9/33 had symptoms (P=0.45). There were more anterior pelvic organ prolapses in the total hysterectomy group (N=10) than in the subtotal hysterectomy group (N=4) (P=0.048). We found a higher mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) in the subtotal hysterectomy group (34.78ml/s) than in the total hysterectomy group (27.08ml/s) (P=0.042) as well as a higher mean functional capacity in the subtotal hysterectomy group (526ml) than in the total hysterectomy group (443ml) (P=0.0147) according to the voiding diary.

CONCLUSION

Subtotal and total abdominal hysterectomy are comparable regarding long-term objective pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. The subtotal hysterectomy group had a higher Qmax and voided volume.