INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data on the impact of organ injury on long-term outcomes after a hysterectomy for benign indications. The aim of this study was to investigate fistula formation and patient-reported long-term health outcomes after organ injury at the time of a hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a population-based study of 22 538 women undergoing a hysterectomy between 2000 and 2014 in Sweden. Their medical history, characteristics of their surgery, and patient-reported outcomes were retrieved from Swedish national health and quality registers. Predictors for fistula formation were investigated with logistic regression and are presented as odds ratios with a 95% CI. RESULTS: Fistulas were reported in 7% of women with organ injuries, compared with 0.4% of those without organ injuries (adjusted odds ratio 15.29 [9.81-23.85]). Laparotomy and postoperative infection were associated with postoperative fistulas. Most of the women reported having better health 1 year after the hysterectomy, but 7% of those with organ injuries and 24% of those with fistulas reported deteriorated health, compared with 2% of women without injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Organ injury at the time of hysterectomy is associated with the development of fistulas involving the female genital tract and increases the proportion of women reporting deteriorated health 1 year after surgery.
INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of data on the impact of organ injury on long-term outcomes after a hysterectomy for benign indications. The aim of this study was to investigate fistula formation and patient-reported long-term health outcomes after organ injury at the time of a hysterectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a population-based study of 22 538 women undergoing a hysterectomy between 2000 and 2014 in Sweden. Their medical history, characteristics of their surgery, and patient-reported outcomes were retrieved from Swedish national health and quality registers. Predictors for fistula formation were investigated with logistic regression and are presented as odds ratios with a 95% CI. RESULTS:Fistulas were reported in 7% of women with organ injuries, compared with 0.4% of those without organ injuries (adjusted odds ratio 15.29 [9.81-23.85]). Laparotomy and postoperative infection were associated with postoperative fistulas. Most of the women reported having better health 1 year after the hysterectomy, but 7% of those with organ injuries and 24% of those with fistulas reported deteriorated health, compared with 2% of women without injuries. CONCLUSIONS:Organ injury at the time of hysterectomy is associated with the development of fistulas involving the female genital tract and increases the proportion of women reporting deteriorated health 1 year after surgery.