Long-term impact and risk factors for hysterectomy after hysteroscopic surgery for menorrhagia

The objective of this study was to assess the long-term impact of management and establish the incidence of hysterectomy, and to identify factors predictive of failure of the procedure among women who had undergone hysteroscopic endometrial resection with or without myomectomy for menorrhagia. Clinical history and data on additional treatment and follow-up status were obtained by medical record review and postal questionnaire for 279 women who had undergone hysteroscopic surgery. Follow-up data were available for 259 (93%) cases, and the mean follow-up was 6.0 years. Subsequent hysterectomy was the primary endpoint, and its incidence was calculated by survival analysis. Univariant analysis and Cox regression model were used to identify predictors of failure. Myomas, polyps, adenomyosis, or endometrial hyperplasia were found in 40.9% of hysteroscopic procedures. Perioperative complications occurred in 5.7% and late complications in 7.7%. During the follow-up period, 97 (37.5%) of 259 women underwent at least one gynecological procedure. The incidence of hysterectomy was 23.6% (95% confidence interval: 18.8–29.1%). Positive predictive factors for hysterectomy were long uterine cavity (≥9 cm) and tubal ligation. Most (82.8%) of the 198 women who did not undergo hysterectomy had postoperative oligo- or amenorrhea. Hormone replacement therapy was common (67%) among postmenopausal women after endometrial resection. Hysteroscopic resection of the endometrium and concomitant hysteroscopic resection of fibroids for the treatment of menorrhagia is a suitable alternative to hysterectomy and offers lasting results. A large uterine cavity indicating possible uterine pathology and tubal ligation associated with hematometra increase the risk of hysterectomy.