The Danish Hysterectomy and Hysteroscopy Database

Area of Science:

• Gynecological Surgery
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• The Danish Hysterectomy and Hysteroscopy Database (DHHD) was established to improve the quality of care for women undergoing benign uterine surgery.
• Key objectives include reducing complications, hospital readmissions, and reoperations, while also defining hospitalization needs and establishing national standards.

Approach:

• The DHHD includes all women in Denmark undergoing elective benign uterine surgery (hysterectomy and operative hysteroscopy) since 2003.
• Data are extracted from the National Patient Register (NPR), encompassing surgical techniques, lifestyle factors, and mandatory complication/readmission reporting.

Key Points:

• Approximately 4,300 hysterectomies and 3,200 operative hysteroscopies are performed annually in Denmark.
• Over 50,000 hysterectomies have been registered since the database's inception in 2003.
• DHHD's work has resulted in national guidelines, improved surgical practices, and organized national meetings and workshops.

Conclusions:

• The past decade has seen increased utilization of vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy.
• A decline in overall complication rates and hospital stay duration has been observed.
• Regional variations in surgical methods have also diminished, indicating greater standardization of care.