Success and complications of salpingectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy

abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the study were to document the success rates and complications of performing salpingectomies at the time of vaginal hysterectomy to possibly reduce ovarian cancer rates.


DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study.


DESIGN CLASSIFICATION:

Canadian Task Force Classification II-2 SETTING: Community based hospital with university affiliation in Calgary, Canada INTERVENTION: All women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions were offered preferentially a vaginal approach with prophylactic salpingectomy.


MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

During the study period, from October 2011 to January 2014, 425 vaginal hysterectomies were performed. The overall success rate of salpingectomy was 88%. Pelvic adhesions significantly predicted ability to perform salpingectomies with an odds ratio of 6.3, (95% CI 2.8-14.3), p<.001. Age also predicted outcomes, p=.007, with increasing age predicting decrease success. Overall the post-operative complication rate was 15% with 3.8% possibly attributable to the salpingectomies (intrapelvic complications). No associated factors were found on regression analysis.


CONCLUSION:

Salpingectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy is a feasible procedure. Complication rates are low. Only pelvic adhesions are associated with failure to complete a salpingectomy.