Prospective Evaluation of Quality of Life in Total versus Supracervical Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Study Objective: To evaluate and compare recovery times and quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). Design: Patients underwent either a TLH or LSH. After surgery, patients maintained a daily log documenting pain, nausea, use of pain medications, and return to daily activities. They also completed a QOL questionnaire (SF-36) before and after surgery. Design Classification: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-1). Setting: University teaching hospital. Patients: A total of 122 women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 122 women underwent TLH (n = 71) or LSH (n = 51) for benign indications from February 2008 to January 2010. There was a significantly higher postoperative improvement of QOL scores in the LSH group in 6 of 10 questionnaire categories and summary scores, including physical functioning (p =03), role physical (p =002), and bodily pain (p =03). There were no significant differences in use of pain medications, level of pain, level of nausea, or return to normal activities. Conclusion: LSH appears to provide greater improvement in short-term postoperative QOL compared with TLH. No significant differences were found in postoperative pain or return to daily activities.