Indications, Complications And Outcomes Of Hysterectomy At Korle Bu: A Five Year Review

ABSTRACT Background: Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is a frequently performed gynaecological surgical procedure worldwide. However, hysterectomy is associated with some complications and in a few instances fatal consequences. A woman after hysterectomy loses her reproductive ability, the ability to menstruate, in addition to a few minor complications and occasional major complications. Setting: This study was done at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Korle bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), in Accra, Ghana. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, complications and outcomes of hysterectomy at the KBTH from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012. Methods and materials: Study included all women who had hysterectomies at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology within the five year period. Data were collected with the help of a specially designed data capture sheet. Frequency tables and charts were used to summarize data. Stata version 11 was used to analyze data using Chisquare test, simple and multiple logistic regressions. Results: Over the five year period under review, a total of 2,090 hysterectomies were recorded. The prevalence of hysterectomy at the department was 7.8%. The leading indication for hysterectomy was uterine fibroids (67.3%). A total of 370 women had surgical complications. About 13% of cases had only one complication, 3% had two complications and 2% had three or more complications. More than half of Hysterectomy cases (69.1%) spent on average less than five days at the hospital after surgery. Hysterectomy was effective for symptom relief in 97% of cases. The risk of developing a iv surgical complication was reduced in hysterectomy for gynaecologic indications (aOR; 0.1; 95% CI (0.0-0.3); p-value