Effects of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy on anorectal functions along with quality of life of the patient

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy is the most commonly performed major gynecological operation for both benign and malign gynecologic conditions. After hysterectomy, although some investigators have declared an increased incidence of urinary and anorectal dysfunction, some others could not show any connection. METHODS: The voluntary patients were divided in two groups: abdominal hysterectomy (Group 1) and vaginal hysterectomy (Group 2). Anal manometry and all the other examinations of the patients were performed at the Department of General Surgery Endoscopy Unit of Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine. RESULTS: When the quality of life of the patients was assessed before the operation and on the 12(th) post-operative month via the SF-36 form; it can be seen that body pain parameters of the patients in Group 1 had significantly improved and there is no statistical difference in other parameters. When the effect of hysterectomy on the quality of life of the patients was evaluated by the “Cleveland Clinic Global Quality of Life” form, the statistically significant improvement in the quality of life of the patients in Group 2 was observed. CONCLUSION: If the type of operation (vaginal or abdominal) is performed due to benign causes, it does not affect the urinary and anorectal functions of the patients. Depending on the decrease of complaints of the patients, it has a positive effect on the quality of life.