Urinary incontinence after hysterectomy- does type of surgery matter?

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different types of hysterectomy on the development of postoperative urinary incontinence (UI). Material and methods: the study group consisted of 392 women who underwent supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy (SLH), total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), supracervical abdominal hysterectomy (SH), or vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for benign indications between 2010 and 2013. The patients reported no UI-related complaints before surgery. UI status was assessed 12 months postoperatively using the cough test and the 24-hour pad test. Results: UI developed within 12 months after surgery in 149 (38%) out of 392 women. No statistically significant correlation between the type of treatment and UI incidence was detected. The percentage of patients affected by UI did not differ between the study groups. Conclusions: Hysterectomy constitutes a risk factor for the development of urinary incontinence but the occurrence of postoperative UI does not depend on the type of surgery.