Abdominal hysterectomy versus supravaginal uterine amputation: psychic factors

In the present study, the psychic complaints after abdominal hysterectomy (n = 105) and supravaginal uterine amputation (n = 107) are investigated. The first author interviewed personally all the subjects preoperatively and 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. The proportion of subjects without psychic symptoms increased from 49.5% to 67.7% in the hysterectomy group (p less than 0.01) and from 53.3% to 76.8% in the amputation group (p less than 0.001). The difference between the groups at 3 years phase was significant (p less than 0.01). From the single symptoms, nervousness or irritability and depression, decreased during the follow-up period significantly in the amputation group but not in the hysterectomy group. The results clearly indicate that the view of an increased risk for depression or other psychic complications after removal of the uterus should be revised. On the other hand, the results support our earlier findings that supravaginal uterine amputation is still an applicable method in benign conditions.