A comparative analysis of hysterectomies

Rosita Aniulienė, Laima Varžgalienė, Manvydas Varžgalis¹

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ¹Department of Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania

Key words: laparoscopic, vaginal, abdominal hysterectomy; postoperative complications; hospital stay.

Summary. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare operative and postoperative results and differences among laparoscopic, vaginal, and abdominal hysterectomies performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital.

Methods. A retrospective review of medical histories was performed for women who had undergone three different types of hysterectomies (laparoscopic, vaginal, and abdominal) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during 2004–2005.

Results. A total of 602 hysterectomies were performed: 51 (8.5%) laparoscopic, 203 (33.7%) vaginal, and 348 (57.8%) abdominal. The lowest complication rate occurred in patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (n=5, 9.8%) and the highest – abdominal hysterectomy (n=88, 25.2%) (P<0.05). More complication occurred after abdominal as compared to vaginal hysterectomy (n=88, 25.2% vs. n=20, 9.9%, respectively; P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate comparing laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies (P=0.26). The amount of blood loss depended on the type of hysterectomy – less blood was lost during laparoscopic and more during abdominal hysterectomy (123.4 vs. 308.5 mL, respectively; P<0.01). A significantly higher blood loss was observed during abdominal hysterectomy as compared to vaginal (195.3 mL) and vaginal as compared to laparoscopic hysterectomy (P<0.01). The mean length of hospital stay differed comparing all three types of hysterectomies: the shortest stay of 8.6 days was after laparoscopic, the longest of 13.7 days – after abdominal hysterectomy. The mean hospital stay was statistically significant shorter for vaginal hysterectomy compared to abdominal hysterectomy (9.1 vs. 13.7 days, P<0.01). The difference in mean length of hospital stay was insignificant comparing laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies (P>0.05).

Conclusions. Abdominal hysterectomy was the most common procedure performed. The type of hysterectomy influenced the rate of complications – the lowest complication rate was after laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies. The amount of blood loss depended on the type of hysterectomy – the lowest was during laparoscopic hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy required on average a longer hospital stay compared with laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies.

Correspondence to R. Aniulienė, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eivenių 2, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. E-mail: rositaan@hotmail.com

Received 15 May 2006, accepted 29 January 2007