Vaginal hysterectomy is a commonly performed procedure in women with uterovaginal prolapse.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the uterine specimens obtained after vaginal hysterectomy for prolapse, for unexpected histology.
Design:
This was a retrospective study design.
Methods:
Five (5)-year hospital records of women who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy for uterovaginal prolapse were analyzed for demography, symptomatology, extent of prolapse, and the histology of uterine specimens.
Results:
The majority of the 367 women in the study were in the fourth to sixth decade of life, multiparous, and with symptoms of prolapse. Atrophic endometrium (67.30%) and a normal myometrium (92.91%) were the most frequent histologic patterns in the body of the uterus. Although 88.28% of cervices revealed chronic cervicitis, 5 cases (1.36%) had evidence of invasive cervical malignancy on histology.
Conclusions:
Chronic inflammation is known to be associated with malignancies of the skin, penis, lungs, and liver. Direct mechanical irritation, coupled with longstanding chronic inflammation of third-degree prolapse, may predispose to the development of malignancy. Hence, besides regular cervical screening, colposcopic examination and cervical biopsy, along with endocervical sampling, may be performed as a routine prior to surgery for longstanding prolapse.
