Long-Term Outcomes of the Total or Supracervical Hysterectomy (TOSH) Trial

BACKGROUND: Participants in the multi-center, randomized Total or Supracervical Hysterectomy (TOSH) trial showed within-group improvement in pelvic floor symptoms 2 years post-surgery and no differences between supracervical (SCH) versus total hysterectomy (TAH). This study describes longer term outcomes from the largest recruiting site. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaires addressing pelvic symptoms, sexual function, and health-related quality of life were administered. Linear models and McNemar's test were utilized. RESULTS: Thirty-seven participants (69%) responded (19 TAH, 18 SCH); mean follow up was 9.1±0.7 years. No between-group differences emerged in urinary incontinence, voiding dysfunction, pelvic prolapse symptoms and overall health related quality of life (HRQOL). Within-group analysis showed significant improvement in the ability to have and enjoy sex (P = 0.002) and in the SF-36 physical component summary score (P = 0.03) among women randomized to TAH. CONCLUSION: 9 years after surgery, TOSH participants continue to experience improvement and show no major between-group differences in lower urinary tract or pelvic floor symptoms conferring no major benefit of SCH over TAH.