[Clinical effects of transabdominal simple hysterectomy on micturition function]

We prospectively investigated micturition function in 68 women who were operated on by transabdominal simple hysterectomy for uterine myoma. Twelve parameters including stress urinary incontinence, obstructive symptoms, irritative symptoms, uroflow curves and amount of residue were subjectively or objectively evaluated before surgery and a mean of 4.4 months post-operatively. Though 55 patients (81%) had had one or more symptoms of micturition disorders prior to operation, surgery significantly reduced this number to 32 (47%) (p < 0.01). Hysterectomy significantly decreased the number of patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence, weak urinary stream, straining micturition, interrupted stream, urgency and frequency in the daytime. The relationship between the weight of the uterus removed and pre-operative symptoms of micturition disorders was assessed. Interrupted stream was present significantly more in the patients with a uterus weighing less than 400 grams and urgency in the patients with a uterus weighing more than 401 grams. We conclude that transabdominal simple hysterectomy is of use to improve micturition disorders pre-operatively recognized.