Changes in Hysterectomy Route and Adnexal Removal for Benign Disease in Australia 2001–2015: A National Population-Based Study

Objective. Hysterectomy rates have fallen over recent years and there remains debate whether salpingectomy should be performed to reduce the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. We examined trends in adnexal removal and route of hysterectomy in Australia between 2001 and 2015. Methods. Data were obtained from the national procedural dataset for hysterectomy approach (vaginal, VH; abdominal, AH; and, laparoscopic, LH) and rates of adnexal removal, as well as endometrial ablation. The total female population in two age groups (“younger age group,” 35 to 54 years, and “older age group,” 55 to 74 years) was obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Results. The rate of hysterectomy fell in both younger (61.7 versus 45.2/10000/year, p < 0.005 ) and older (38.8 versus 33.2/10000/year, p < 0.005 ) age groups. In both age groups there were significant decreases in the incidence rates for VH (by 53% in the younger age group and 29% in the older age group) and AH (by 53% and 55%, respectively). The rates of LH increased by 153% in the younger age group and 307% in the older age group. Overall, the proportion of hysterectomies involving adnexal removal increased (31% versus 65% in the younger age group, p < 0.005 ; 44% versus 58% in the older age group, p < 0.005 ). The increase occurred almost entirely after 2011. Conclusion. Hysterectomy is becoming less common, and both vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy are being replaced by laparoscopic hysterectomy. Removal of the adnexae is now more common in younger women.