Objective: The object of this study was to audit the policy of hysterectomy in nulliparous women in a university hospital.
Patients and methods: A retrospective medical records analysis of all hysterectomies performed during an 8-year period. Patients with no history of vaginal delivery were stratified into three groups: group 1, patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomies; group 2, patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy (2a) or laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (2b). The groups were compared as to demographic data, surgical complications and outcomes.
Results: During the study period, there were 243 hysterectomies in patients with no history of vaginal delivery. Among these, vaginal hysterectomies (group 2) were undertaken in 75% (182 patients) and successfully performed in all but 13 patients (7.1%). Mean uterine weight was 943 grams in group 1 and 370 grams in group 2. Abdominal route (group 1) was associated with longer operative time (average: 105 min) than vaginal route (group 2a; 81 min) but shorter operative time that laparoscopy-assisted vaginal route (group 2b; 173 min). There was no significant difference in mean estimated blood loss and complications rates between groups 1 and 2. Hospital stay was shorter in group 2. Laparoscopic assistance was not associated with bigger uteri, neither with fewer complications.
Discussion and conclusion: Nulliparity should no longer be considered a contraindication to vaginal hysterectomy. In such patients, many more hysterectomies should be carried out vaginally and laparoscopic assistance does not offer obvious advantages over the standard vaginal approach.