Vaginal hysterectomy at federal teaching hospital, Katsina: A five-year review

Background: Even though the vaginal route is said to be the gynaecologist route of surgery, abdominal hysterectomy remains the predominant method of uterine removal in most parts of the world, despite the evidence of the safety of vaginal hysterectomy. The study aims to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic variables, indications as well as outcome of vaginal hysterectomy at Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Katsina, during the 5-year study period.

Methodology: A five-year retrospective study on vaginal hysterectomy was conducted in Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina from 1^st January 2015 to 31^st December 2019.

Results: The rate of hysterectomies (Abdominal & Vaginal) was 21.6% of the total major gynaecological surgeries performed during the study period. Vaginal hysterectomy accounted for 6.7%. The mean age and parity of the patients were 56.06+/- 9.55 years and 10.17+/- 4.57 respectively. The commonest indication was Utero-vaginal Prolapse (88.9%) and 80.5% (29) of the patients had no complications. Most of the patients (94.4%) were discharged within 7 days of surgery and there was no fatality.

Conclusion: The rate of vaginal hysterectomy in our centre is low. Most of the patients were grand multiparous with the main indication being Uterovaginal prolapse. It is associated with favourable outcomes and very low complication rates.