Success and Complications of Salpingectomy at the Time of Vaginal Hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To document the success rates and complications of salpingectomy performed at the time of vaginal hysterectomy to possibly reduce ovarian cancer rates.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (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 (October 2011 to January 2014), a total of 425 vaginal hysterectomies were performed. The overall success rate of salpingectomy was 88%. Pelvic adhesions significantly predicted the ability to perform salpingectomies (odds ratio, 6.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-14.3; p < .001). Age also was predictive of outcomes (p = .007), with increasing age predicting decrease success. The overall postoperative complication rate was 15%, with 3.8% possibly attributable to salpingectomy (i.e., 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.