Influence of nonradical hysterectomy on the function of the lower urinary tract.

Hysterectomy will sometimes be identified by the patient as the starting point of lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms. However, it is questionable whether there is a causal relationship. A number of epidemiological studies have found an increase in the relative risk of LUT symptoms of up to 2.2 in patients after simple hysterectomy. However, in numerous prospective, controlled studies including studies using urodynamic testing before and after the operation, such an effect can not be established. The discrepancy between the two types of studies is striking. A number of possible explanations are presented. It is concluded that there is little or no effect of nonradical hysterectomy on the lower urinary tract function.