Factors related to blood loss in laparoscopic hysterectomy

Abstract

Background: In this study, we aimed to retrospectively investigate the effects of patients' age, body mass index (BMI), uterine size, presence of fibroids, previous surgery, and the experience of surgeons on blood loss during total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: Data of 416 patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy in our gynecology clinic were retrospectively evaluated. Several factors that may be correlated with blood loss were investigated based on the changes in their hemoglobin levels. Results: In this study, BMI (under 30: 1.25 g/dL and over 30: 1.10 g/dL, p = 0.140), age (over 50 years: 1.05 g/dL and under 50 years: 1.20 g/dL, p = 0.196), uterus size (above 500 cm3: 1.00 g/dL and below 500 cm3: 1.20 g/dL, p = 0.227), presence of fibroids (fibroids: 1.20 g/dL and without fibroids: 1.10 g/dL) mg/dL, p = 0.843), previous operation history (surgical history: 0.90 g/dL and no surgical history: 1.00 g/dL, p = 0.631) were not correlated with blood loss. Case experience (inexperienced period: 1.10 g/dL and experienced period: 1.20 g/dL, p = 0.185) of each surgeon was not correlated with blood loss. When we examined the blood loss of 11 surgeons separately, it ranged from 0.75 g/dL (0.4–1.9 g/dL) to 1.65 g/dL (0.83–2.15 g/dL). Correlation of the individual surgeon factor with blood loss was statistically significant (p = 0.041). Discussion: Age, BMI, uterine size, presence of fibroids and previous operation history were not correlated with blood loss during total laparoscopic hysterectomy. We determined the individual surgeon as the only aspect affecting blood loss.