What Is This Study About? This is a long-term observational study that aims to understand whether different surgical techniques for removing the uterus affect women's risk of developing pelvic floor disorders, such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or urinary incontinence, after surgery.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when pelvic organs like the uterus or bladder drop from their normal position and push against the vaginal walls. It is a common condition, especially in women after menopause, and can significantly affect quality of life.
Why Is This Study Important? Each year, thousands of women undergo hysterectomies (surgical removal of the uterus) for non-cancerous reasons. However, it's still unclear whether certain types of hysterectomy procedures may lead to a higher or lower risk of pelvic floor problems in the years following surgery. This study seeks to provide reliable answers to help improve patient safety and long-term outcomes.
What Questions Is the Study Trying to Answer?
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does total laparoscopic hysterectomy increase the risk of pelvic organ prolapse or urinary incontinence compared to supracervical hysterectomy?
* Does total laparoscopic hysterectomy increase the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction compared to abdominal or vaginal approaches?
* Does the use of robotic techniques reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction compared to conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy?
* Does robotic supracervical hysterectomy reduce the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction compared to standard laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy?
Who Can Participate? The study will include about 2,000 women who had their uterus removed or partially removed between 2021 and 2025 for benign conditions.
Participants must be:
* 18 to 85 years old
* Willing to give informed consent
* Not suffering from severe chronic illness (ECOG ≥ 2)
* Not previously diagnosed with pelvic floor problems before surgery What Will Participants Be Asked to Do?
Participants will:
* Receive a letter inviting them to join the study
* Complete quality-of-life questionnaires (Prolapse Quality of Life Questionnaire (P-QOL), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Inventory 6 (POPDI-6), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire short form ( PFIQ-7).every two years about symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence
* Undergo a gynecological exam every two years to assess healing and signs of prolapse using a standardized method (POP-Q) If a participant chooses not to have a physical exam, only questionnaire data will be used.
Where Is the Study Taking Place?
The study is being conducted at multiple leading medical centers in Poland:
* Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice
* Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, CMKP, Warsaw
* Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Warsaw
* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Szpital Zakonu Bonifratrów pw. Aniołów Stróżów w Katowice
Is the Study Safe? Yes. This is an observational study, which means no new treatments or procedures are being tested. It involves only questionnaires and routine medical exams, so there is no additional risk to the participants.
When Will the Study Take Place?
* Start date: July 1, 2025
* End date: July 1, 2036 This long observation period allows researchers to understand how pelvic floor health changes years after surgery.
What Do Researchers Hope to Achieve? The ultimate goal is to guide medical professionals and patients in choosing the most appropriate surgical technique for removing the uterus for benign causes, based on long-term outcomes. By identifying which methods are safer for pelvic floor health, this research could help reduce the number of women who develop prolapse or incontinence after surgery.
