The Large Uterus Classification System: a prospective observational study

To investigate the Large Uterus Classification System (LUCS) ability to predict surgical outcomes and complications in total laparoscopic hysterectomies (TLHs) for large uteri.

Prospective observational study.

Two referral centres.

Three hundred and ninety-two women who underwent TLH for a large uterus (uterine fundus at or over the transverse umbilical line).

Between 2004 and 2019, the intraoperative LUCS was estimated in all patients. The LUCS considers the uterine and adnexal vascular pedicles displacement. Type 1 is without vascular pedicles displacement. Type 2 has the cephalad displacement of adnexal vascular pedicles. The uterine vessels displacement regardless of adnexal pedicles defines Type 3.

Patients' characteristics with perioperative outcomes were prospectively collected and compared between the three types of large uteri.

Two hundred and fifty-one (64%), 82 (20.9%) and 59 (15.1%) women had Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 uteri, respectively. Women with Type 1 uteri had a lower uterine weight, shorter operative time, less blood loss and lower complication rates than women with Types 2 and 3. The conversion rate to laparotomy in Type 1 was similar to that in Type 2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.98; 95% CI 0.32-3.56) but lower than Type 3 (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.14-0.97); in Type 2 it was lower than Type 3, although without the conventional statistical significance (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.13-1.13; P = 0.07). Multivariable analysis showed that the uterine Type (1 versus 2-3) was independently associated with the total complications rate (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.09-3.68; P = 0.02).

The LUCS appears associated with surgical outcomes and complications, potentially stratifying the surgical risk and guiding the surgical technique in TLHs for large uteri.

The Large Uterus Classification System may predict outcomes in total laparoscopic hysterectomy of large uteri.