Patient-Reported Experiences After Hysterectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Views of Over 2300 Women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate women’s experiences after hysterectomy and predictors of their contentment and regret with the surgical approaches. METHODS: Cross-sectional, Patient-Reported Experience Measures survey in 2319 Australian women aged 21 to 90 years (median age of 52 years) who had received hysterectomy in the preceding 2 years. RESULTS: Overall, the vast majority of women (>96%) did not regret having had the hysterectomy. Women who received an open abdominal hysterectomy reported slower recovery with about 7% of women still not fully recovered after 12 months compared to those whose surgery was through a less invasive approach. Women who reported no adverse events, having been given a choice of type of hysterectomy, women who received an alternative to open abdominal hysterectomy, and women who felt prepared for discharge from hospital were significantly more likely to be content with their hysterectomy and report positive patient experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with those who received a less invasive approach to hysterectomy, women who received open surgery were more likely to express negative experiences relating to their hospital stay and recovery from surgery. The results inform future improvements of care for women planning a hysterectomy.