The study of patients-reported functional changes and satisfaction after total abdominal hysterectomy.

Lee, Jeong Heon; Tae, Chul Min; Chai, Hee Suk; Baek, Eun Kyeong; Jeong, So Mang; Yi, Seung Yeun; Kim, Jong Duk

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;48(11):2645-2655.
Published online November 1, 2005.

The study of patients-reported functional changes and satisfaction after total abdominal hysterectomy.

Jeong Heon Lee, Chul Min Tae, Hee Suk Chai, Eun Kyeong Baek, So Mang Jeong, Seung Yeun Yi, Jong Duk Kim

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea. obgy@chonbuk.ac.kr

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate women's perception and satisfaction before and after hysterectomy comparing urinary, lower gastrointestinal, and sexual function. METHODS: It was a prospective study of 89 women ages 31-65 years undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy for nonmalignant conditions. These women were interviewed before surgery and 1, 3 and 6 months later. Patients-reported symptoms of urinary, lower gastrointestinal, and sexual function and woman's satisfaction of hysterectomy were assessed. Only P< or =0.001 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The most common reason of patients for hysterectomy was abnormal uterine bleeding. Secondary complication after hysterectomy was negligible. Hysterectomy has got lead to the improvements in pelvic/abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, and urinary symptoms. The frequency of orgasm was reduced, but other sexual variables were not changed significantly. The level of satisfaction after hysterectomy was very high. CONCLUSION: Abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions improves urinary and lower gastrointestinal function with no consistent changes in sexual function. Hysterectomy gives patients high degree of satisfaction as well as marked improvement of quality of life.

Key Words: Hysterectomy, Function