Long-term quality of life after surgical Essure removal for device-attributed symptoms

To analyze quality of life(QoL) and symptom resolution after surgical removal of Essure devices.

Single-center cohort study which included patients with Essure removal between February 2017 and March 2018. Surgery was performed in 65 patients by laparoscopy (Salpingectomy only or Hysterectomy). Questionnaires were used to assess QoL(SF-36), emotional disorders(HAD) and symptoms preoperatively, at 3 months and 4 years postoperatively.

4(6,1%) and 16(24,6%) patients were lost of follow-up at three months and 4 years postoperatively respectively. Four(6,1%) intraoperative surgical complications occurred. During the three-months postoperative period, 3(4,6%) complications occurred: five Clavien Dindo Grade 1 complications (umbilical hematoma) and one Grade 2 complication (hyperthermia and digestive disorder requiring antibiotic therapy). Preoperative QoL scores were lower than those of general population. Scores were significantly improved at 3 months and 4 years postoperatively. At 4 years postoperatively, 17/49(34,7%) had a complete regression of symptoms, 21/49(42,8%) partial resolution and 11/49(22,4%) no improvement. 27/49(55,1%) patients made the connection between symptoms and ESSURE device after media coverage. 22/49(44,89 %) were influenced by media coverage in their decision of surgery. There was a higher percentage of patients with anxiety disorder before Essure removal than 4 years after [22/44 (50 %) versus 11/44 (25 %); p = 0.0045].

Essure removal has a restorative role in terms of QoL in short and long-term. Patients should be informed about possibility of no improvement after surgery and surgical morbidity. Larger prospective cohort is needed to make a well-considered decision about risks of surgery compared with expected benefits.