Comparison of the Effect of Laparoscopic and Abdominal Hysterectomy on Lower Urinary Tract Function, Vaginal Length, and Dyspareunia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Horizontal versus vertical direction of posterior vaginal wall suture after eradication of rectovaginal endometriosis: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

To compare safety and effectiveness of two-different directions of suturing the posterior vaginal breach (horizontal [Ho] vs vertical [Ve]) in women undergoing recto-vaginal endometriosis (RVE) nodule resection.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective, observational, cohort study was performed including all women of reproductive age undergoing RVE nodule resection between March 2013 and December 2018 at our tertiary centers. Patients included in the present study were divided into two groups based on the direction in suturing the posterior vaginal fornix defect, for comparisons in terms of rate of postoperative complications, pain relief, pain and anatomical recurrence, and length of hospital stay. Univariate comparisons were performed adopting the t test or the Mann-Whitney test for continuous data and the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test for categorical data, with a significant P value set to <0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 101 women were included: 67 in the Ho-group and 34 in the Ve-group. The two groups did not significantly differ in length of hospital stay (6.7 ± 6.9 vs 6.6 ± 3.3 days; P = 0.95), overall postoperative complications (32.8% vs 14.7%; P = 0.05), pain recurrence (35.8% vs 26.5%; P = 0.34) and anatomical recurrence rate (19.4% vs 23.5%; P = 0.62). Conversely, grade III complications were significantly more common in the Ho-group than in the Ve-group (22.7% vs 20%, P = 0.009), while pain relief in terms of deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, dysuria and chronic pelvic pain was more consistent in the Ve-group patients (P = 0.04, 0.04, 0.05, 0.004, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In symptomatic women undergoing RVE nodule resection, Ho suturing of the vaginal breach appears more commonly associated with severe postoperative complications and a worse pain control.

Surgical approach to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are five major approaches to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease: abdominal hysterectomy (AH), vaginal hysterectomy (VH), laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RH) and vaginal natural orifice hysterectomy (V-NOTES). Within the LH category we further differentiate the laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) from the total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (SP-LH).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of different surgical approaches to hysterectomy for women with benign gynaecological conditions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the following databases (from their inception to December 2022): the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Specialised Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO. We also searched the trial registries and relevant reference lists, and communicated with experts in the field for any additional trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which clinical outcomes were compared between one surgical approach to hysterectomy and another.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two review authors independently selected trials, assessed risk of bias and performed data extraction. Our primary outcomes were return to normal activities, satisfaction and quality of life, intraoperative visceral injury and major long-term complications (i.e. fistula, pelvic-abdominal pain, urinary dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, pelvic floor condition and sexual dysfunction).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 63 studies with 6811 women. The evidence for most comparisons was of low or moderate certainty. The main limitations were poor reporting and imprecision. Vaginal hysterectomy (VH) versus abdominal hysterectomy (AH) (12 RCTs, 1046 women) Return to normal activities was probably faster in the VH group (mean difference (MD) -10.91 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) -17.95 to -3.87; 4 RCTs, 274 women; I2 = 67%; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the return to normal activities after AH is assumed to be 42 days, then after VH it would be between 24 and 38 days. We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for the other primary outcomes. Laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) versus AH (28 RCTs, 3431 women) Return to normal activities may be sooner in the LH group (MD -13.01 days, 95% CI -16.47 to -9.56; 7 RCTs, 618 women; I2 = 68%, low-certainty evidence), but there may be more urinary tract injuries in the LH group (odds ratio (OR) 2.16, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.93; 18 RCTs, 2594 women; I2 = 0%; moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the return to normal activities after abdominal hysterectomy is assumed to be 37 days, then after laparoscopic hysterectomy it would be between 22 and 25 days. It also suggests that if the rate of ureter injury during abdominal hysterectomy is assumed to be 0.2%, then during laparoscopic hysterectomy it would be between 0.2% and 2%. We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for the other primary outcomes. LH versus VH (22 RCTs, 2135 women) We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for any of our primary outcomes. Both short- and long-term complications were rare in both groups. Robotic-assisted hysterectomy (RH) versus LH (three RCTs, 296 women) None of the studies reported satisfaction rates or quality of life. We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for our other primary outcomes. Single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy (SP-LH) versus LH (seven RCTs, 621 women) None of the studies reported satisfaction rates, quality of life or major long-term complications. We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for rates of intraoperative visceral injury. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) versus laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) (three RCTs, 233 women) None of the studies reported satisfaction rates or quality of life. We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for rates of intraoperative visceral injury or major long-term complications. Transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (V-NOTES) versus LH (two RCTs, 96 women) We are uncertain whether there is a difference between the groups for rates of bladder injury. Our other primary outcomes were not reported. Overall, adverse events were rare in the included studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease, VH appears to be superior to AH. When technically feasible, VH should be performed in preference to AH because it is associated with faster return to normal activities, fewer wound/abdominal wall infections and shorter hospital stay. Where VH is not possible, LH has advantages over AH including faster return to normal activities, shorter hospital stay, and decreased risk of wound/abdominal wall infection, febrile episodes or unspecified infection, and transfusion. These advantages must be balanced against the increased risk of ureteric injury and longer operative time. When compared to LH, VH was associated with no difference in time to return to normal activities but shorter operative time and shorter hospital stay. RH and V-NOTES require further evaluation since there is a lack of evidence of any patient benefit over conventional LH. Overall, the evidence in this review has to be interpreted with caution as adverse event rates were low, resulting in low power for these comparisons. The surgical approach to hysterectomy should be discussed with the patient and decided in the light of the relative benefits and hazards. Surgical expertise is difficult to quantify and poorly reported in the available studies and this may influence outcomes in ways that cannot be accounted for in this review. In conclusion, when VH is not feasible, LH has multiple advantages over AH, but at the cost of more ureteric injuries. Evidence is limited for RH and V-NOTES.

Urodynamic changes following laparoscopic versus vaginal hysterectomy

Objective: To compare urodynamic changes before and after hysterectomy (laparoscopic vs. vaginal approach) for benign gynecological diseases.Patients and methods: A total of 90 women with a mean age of 56.36-years were enrolled in this study between August 2019 and April 2021. They were divided into two equal groups(45 patients each). Group, I had a vaginal hysterectomy, and Group II had a laparoscopic hysterectomy. All patients were assessed clinically using ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire and a uro-dynamic study before and six months after surgery. Results: Both vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy did not significantly change the maximum flow rate, voiding time, and average flow rate. The increase in residual urine volume in group I was not significant (p = 0.129), as was in Group II(p = 0.217). All the modifications, however, were within permis-sible limits. According to the cystometry result, volume at initial sensation rose in both groups after surgery, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.364). After both forms of hysterecto-my, maximum bladder capacity did not vary considerably. Preoperatively, all study participants exhibited no overactivity of the detrusor muscle; nevertheless, following surgery, overac-tivity was noted in 9 patients after vaginal hysterectomy com-pared to three patients after laparoscopic hysterectomy, and all the alterations were within a clinically acceptable range. In addition, the ICIQ-FLUTS score was not significantly different between the study groups. Conclusions: According to the urodynamic study, hysterectomy for benign uterine conditions, whether vaginal or laparoscopic did not adversely affect urinary bladder function.

Quality of life and sexual function after abdominal versus laparoscopic hysterectomy: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function of women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, a total of 121 patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy (N.=65) and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (N.=56) operations for benign indications were included. Sociodemographic features, obstetric histories, and clinical characteristics of the patients were noted. Quality of life assessment was conducted with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire, which has five domains: overall quality of life + health, physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Sexual function was assessed by the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction Scale with subscales of infrequency, non-communication, avoidance, non-sensuality, dissatisfaction, vaginismus, and anorgasmia. The patients were asked to fill in both questionnaires before the operation and six months after the operation.

RESULTS

Of the 121 patients, 104 of them completed the postoperative surveys. In the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group, the individual improvements of the overall quality of life + health physical, and psychological health domains were statistically higher than the total abdominal hysterectomy group. In terms of sexual function, the total abdominal hysterectomy group had worse avoidance, non-sensuality, dissatisfaction, and vaginismus subscale scores and total score both in the preoperative and postoperative period compared to the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group. However, the individual differences and the number of patients exhibiting sexual dysfunction before and after surgery were not statistically significant in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hysterectomy was superior to abdominal hysterectomy in improving the quality of life of the patients. Both abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomies were not found to affect female sexuality.

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.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials Assessing Sexuality in Hysterectomized Patients

In hysterectomized patients, even though there is still controversy, evidence indicates that in the short term, the vaginal approach shows benefits over the laparoscopic approach, as it is less invasive, faster and less costly. However, the quality of sexual life has not been systematically reviewed in terms of the approach adopted. Through a systematic review, we analyzed (CRD42020158465 in PROSPERO) the impact of hysterectomy on sexual quality and whether there are differences according to the surgical procedure (abdominal or vaginal) for noncancer patients. MEDLINE (through PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov and Scopus were reviewed to find randomized clinical trials assessing sexuality in noncancer patients undergoing total hysterectomy, comparing vaginal and abdominal (laparoscopic and/or open) surgery. Three studies that assessed the issue under study were finally included. Two of these had a low risk of bias (Cochrane risk of bias tool); one was unclear. There was significant variability in how sexuality was measured, with no differences between the two approaches considered in the review. In conclusion, no evidence was found to support one procedure (abdominal or vaginal) over another for non-oncological hysterectomized patients regarding benefits in terms of sexuality.

Surgical Trend and Volume Effect on the Choice of Hysterectomy Benign Gynecologic Conditions

With the advance of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the surgical trends of hysterectomy changed significantly during past 2 decades. Total number (age-standardized) of all types of hysterectomy decreased, which may be due to the availability of some other alternatives, e.g. hysteroscopy, laparoscopic myomectomy. However, laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) still remains the mainstream of surgical treatment. LH significantly increases for benign gynecologic conditions in Taiwan and worldwide. The increase of LH was accompanied with decrease of TAH; VH kept stationary, and SAH increased slightly. The increase in popularity of LH and SAH; provides evidence of surgical trends and a paradigm shift for hysterectomy. This time-frame shift suggests LH has reached a u during the later years. Older patients tend to receive AH, while middle-aged women tend to receive LH. Oder surgeons tend to perform AH, while younger surgeons tend to perform LH. However, all type hysterectomy and LH were more commonly performed by older surgeons aged over 50 years. It means both patients and surgeons became older during the time-frames. The above phenomena may also happen due to less young surgeons entered in the gynecologic practice. Most of the LHs were performed by high-volume surgeons, however, there is a shift from high-volume, to medium- and low-volume surgeons. The above scenario may be due to the wide spread of LH techniques. Surgical volume has important impacts on both complications and costs. The high-volume surgeons have lower complications, which result in lower costs. In the future, how to increase the use of LH, to improve the training and monitoring system deserves more attentions.

Abdominal Hysterectomy with a Uterine Manipulator Minimizes Vaginal Shortening: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the impact of adopting an uterine manipulator (UM) on the postoperative (VL) and female sexual function index (FSFI) in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy (AH) for benign gynecological disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hysterectomies were performed with the Richardson technique; two variations, a UM or digital guidance, in this technique were used during the colpotomy step. Subjects were randomized and allocated to either hysterectomy with UM guidance (study group) or conventional hysterectomy (control group). Pre- and postoperative VL and FSFI were recorded for each patient. Additionally, surgeons' and residents' satisfaction in locating the colpotomy site was also scored by the surgical team postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the VL (10.2 ± 1.2 cm vs. 8.3 ± 0.7 cm, p < 0.001) and FSFI score (21.0 ± 4.1 to 17.1 ± 3.6, p < 0.001) between the pre-operation stage and three months post-operation in the control group. However, no such significant changes were observed in the study group. Additionally, surgeons' and residents' satisfaction scores (SSS) for locating the colpotomy site were significantly higher in the study group as compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that implementation of an UM in AH prevented unintended shortening of the postoperative VL and avoided a decline in the sexual function as compared to the standard AH procedure. These benefits were probably due to the precise determination of the colpotomy site that resulted from the use of UM in AH.

Experiencia de pacientes sometidas a histerectomía laparoscópica en el Hospital Universitario San José de Popayán entre 2014 y 2018

Introducción. La histerectomía es un procedimiento común en la práctica ginecológica para el manejo de condiciones benignas y malignas. En la actualidad, se ha demostrado que el abordaje mínimamente invasivo es mejor que la cirugía abierta, ya que presenta menos complicaciones intraoperatorias y posoperatorias.Objetivo. Describir la experiencia de pacientes sometidas a histerectomía laparoscópica entre 2014 y 2018 en el Hospital Universitario San José de Popayán Empresa Social del Estado.Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo de serie de casos que incluyó 36 pacientes intervenidas entre enero de 2014 y abril de 2018. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Para medir el grado de satisfacción posoperatoria y la calidad de vida se realizó una encuesta telefónica.Resultados. La edad promedio de las entrevistadas fue 45 años, el tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue 124 minutos, la tasa de complicaciones intraoperatorias fue 2.78% (n=1) y la estancia hospitalaria promedio fue 1.3 días. Los principales diagnósticos preoperatorios fueron carcinoma in situ (28%) y leiomiomatosis (17%). En cuanto al grado de satisfacción, el 92% refirió mejoría en la calidad de vida y el 64% manifestó tener una recuperación posoperatoria rápida.Conclusión. Para la población estudiada, la histerectomía laparoscópica fue un procedimiento seguro con una baja tasa de complicaciones y un alto grado de satisfacción posoperatoria.

Impact of vertical versus horizontal vaginal cuff closure on vaginal length following hysterectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Posthysterectomy vaginal length has been previously associated with postoperative sexual dysfunction, but evidence for this in the literature is controversial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether vertical or horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff has a direct effect on posthysterectomy vaginal length and on postoperative sexual dysfunction.

METHODS

The study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched Medline, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.gov , EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar databases.

RESULTS

Overall, five randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis with 223 patients. The results suggest that horizontal closure of the vaginal cuff results in a shorter vaginal length compared with vertical closure [mean difference (MD) -0.77 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.12 to -0.43]. Mean vaginal length significantly decreased when the horizontal method was used (MD -0.61 cm, 95% CI -0.97 to -0.24). The subgroup analysis revealed that vertical closure was associated with longer vaginal length only in cases treated with vaginal hysterectomy. Trial sequential analysis revealed that our meta-analysis had adequate power to support these results. Postoperative sexual function was evaluated in only one study; no differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of our meta-analysis suggest that horizontal closure of the vaginal vault results in shorter vaginal length in vaginal hysterectomies; thus, we suggest that this technique be avoided. Data concerning quality of life of patients and specifically sexual dysfunction remain extremely limited and should be studied in future trials.