The impact of hysterectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms.

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy on lower urinary tract symptoms. We interviewed 120 patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions preoperatively using a standardized questionnaire. At 6.6 and 12.7 months, 119/120 and 115/120 patients completed the follow-up questionnaire. Forty-four patients underwent vaginal and 76 abdominal hysterectomy. At 6 months follow-up there was a decrease ( p<0.05) in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence in the abdominal cohort, but this did not remain at 12 months' follow-up. There were no significant changes in symptoms of stress urinary incontinence in the vaginal cohort at either 6 or 12 months' follow-up. Postoperative micturition frequency was reduced in both cohorts. No significant differences were found regarding symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urge complaints or voiding difficulties. The present study does not support the assumption that abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy is associated with de novo or deteriorating symptoms of urinary incontinence.