FINHYST 2006 - National prospective 1-year survey of 5 279 hysterectomies

Abstract

BACKGROUNDIn Finland, the number of hysterectomies during one decade has decreased by 34. The national prospective FINHYST study in 1996 showed abdominal hysterectomy (AH) as being most common: 58. In Finland since 2002, vaginal hysterectomy (VH) has been most preferred, with laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) surpassing AH in 2005.METHODSFINHYST 2006 is a national prospective hysterectomy study in which all hospitals collaborated from 1 January to 31 December 2006. Questionnaires, completed by gynaecologists, covered their experience, patient characteristics and surgical data.RESULTSThe 5279 hysterectomies distributed by approaches were 44 VHs, 32 LHs and 24 AHs. Less than 2 were subtotal. The main indications for hysterectomy were myomas (33), uterine prolapse (28) and menorrhagia (21). The main indication for VH was not related to uterine prolapse in 39. Bilateral salpingo-ooforectomy was performed in 36 of AHs, 32 of LHs and 2 of VHs. Antibiotic prophylaxis was used in 97, and thrombosis prophylaxis in 65. Haemorrhage was least and operation time shortest with VH, and hospital stay and sick leave were shortest after LH.CONCLUSIONSIn Finland, less invasive approaches comprise 76 of hysterectomies. This trend has resulted nationally in shortening of hospital stay and of convalescence time.