Risk for Bowel Injury at Hysterectomy Varies by Surgical Approach and Indication

A large observational study indicates that vaginal hysterectomy incurs the fewest risks.

Although risk for bowel injury at hysterectomy is low, the large number of these procedures performed each year results in numerous such injuries. To assess the risk factors for iatrogenic bowel injury, investigators conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from 155,557 women (mean age, 47.7; mean body-mass index [BMI], 30.7 kg/m²) who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications in the U.S. and Canada. Surgical approaches were abdominal (24.5%), laparoscopic (57.9%), and vaginal (17.6%). Indications for hysterectomy included uterine leiomyoma (32.9%), menstrual disorders (22.0%), genital prolapse (13.1%), endometriosis (6.8%), and pelvic pain (3.8%).

In total, 610 patients (0.6%) sustained bowel injuries. On univariate analysi…

Reviewing Author

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Robert W. Rebar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMyovant Sciences, Inc.

Editorial BoardsEndoText; Clinical OB/GYN Alert

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine (Member, Ethics Committee)

Risk for Bowel Injury at Hysterectomy Varies by Surgical Approach and Indication

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Reviewing Author