Objective: We describe the intra and postoperative frequency of complications in vaginal hysterectomies for benign disorders in patients with a history of caesarean section.
Patients and methods: Since 1996, 963 hysterectomies have been performed in our institution. 76.94% were performed exclusively by vaginal route (n = 741), 10.1% (n = 98) were by laparoscopic-assisted vaginal route and 12.9%, by pure abdominal route. We compared two groups of patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy, with or without history of caesarean section. In each group we recorded the characteristics of the population and compared the intra and postoperative data, such as bladder or digestive tract wounds and haemorrhages. We used analysis of variance tests to compare means, chi2-tests and Fisher's exact tests for comparisons of numbers. A probability of P < 0.05 was adopted as the limit of significance.
Results: The frequency of haemorrhages was significantly higher in the patients with a history of caesareans. Bladder and intestine injury rates are significantly higher in the previous caesarean section group, but not significant for the bowel injuries. We compared the cumulative frequency of complications between the two groups. In the group with previous caesarean section, we recorded 18.3% of intra operative complications. In the group without history of caesarean section, we recorded 3.58% of complications. There is a significant difference between the cumulative frequency of complications in the two populations of patients in favour of the sub group without a history of caesarean scar (P < 0.0001).
Discussion and conclusion: A history of single or multiple previous caesarean section increases the intra operative risk in vaginal hysterectomies. The surgeon must take into account the history of caesarean section and be attentive to the previous operating time of the bladder and uterine region especially at the time of opening the anterior peritoneal cul-de-sac. Nevertheless, uterine scarring as a sequel to caesareans must not be a contraindication to the vaginal route.