Purpose of review: To review current literature evaluating racial disparities in benign hysterectomy care in the United States.
Recent findings: Evidence shows that black women are half as likely to undergo minimally invasive hysterectomy and have an increased risk of surgical complications compared with white women. Patient level differences including fibroids, prior surgical history, medical comorbidities, and obesity have been implied to account for the increased rate of abdominal hysterectomy in black patients; however, inequalities remain even after controlling for clinical differences. Societal factors including insurance status fail to fully account for disparities, though healthcare system factors, such as geographical region and access to a minimally invasive trained surgeon, continue to have a profound impact on the equity of care that patients receive.
Summary: Disparities in hysterectomy route and outcomes by race and socioeconomic status exist and have persisted in the literature for over a decade despite a nationwide trend toward minimally invasive hysterectomy and improving surgical outcomes. These disparities are not fully accounted for by patient or health system factors. Successfully addressing these disparities will require a multipronged approach, which may include improved surgical training for residents, fellows, and practicing gynecologists, increasing referrals to high-volume minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons, and provider and patient education.