Patterns of Lesions in Hysterectomy Specimens in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynaecological procedures performed all over the world. The most frequent indications for hysterectomy are fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding uterovaginal prolapse and endometriosis. The objective of this study was to present the histopathological patterns of various uterine and adnexal pathologies in the hysterectomy specimens and also to correlate its pre-operative clinical diagnosis with histopathology.

Methods: This is a two-year descriptive study of hysterectomy specimens carried out in the Department of Pathology, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), Lalitpur, Nepal. Data of all the hysterectomy specimens collected during this period was analyzed.  

Results: Out of the 533 cases, fibroid was the most common indication for hysterectomy that was seen in 229 (42.94%) cases followed by uterovaginal prolapse in 101 (18.93%) cases. Leiomyoma was the most common pathology reported in 250 (46.90%) hysterectomy specimens, followed by ovarian tumours in 95 (17.82%) cases. In 17.82% (95/533) cases, no pathology was seen. Overall, the pre-operative indications in 533 cases of hysterectomy were histopathologically verifiable in 487 (91.37%) cases.

Conclusions: Though the histopathological examination correlates well with the pre-operative clinical diagnosis, a number of lesions were also encountered as pure incidental findings. Hence, it is mandatory that every hysterectomy specimen should be subjected to histopathological examination so as to ensure better post-operative management.

Keywords: adenomyosis; hysterectomy; leiomyoma; tumour; uterovaginal prolapse.