[Changes in the orientation in indications for hysterectomy--presented with the example of prolapse]

Hysterectomies, as well as conservative surgery of the uterus (where indication might have been in favour of hysterectomy), were analysed according to case records during two periods, from 1960 to 1963 and from 1978 to 1980, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Hannover University. In the second period the average number of hysterectomies pro year doubled, whereas the conservative uterine surgery showed a definite decline. Descensus was diagnosed in 48.5% of the hysterectomies performed during the second period compared to 13.6% during first period. Prolapse frequency was about the same in both groups. In the second period, 97.7% of the descensus operations were combined with hysterectomy, whereas this applied in the first period to only 24.3%. The results show a definite tendency towards extending the indication for hysterectomy. In the second period, sterilisation and carcinoma prophylaxis were additionally considered as indications for surgery.