Cost and quality-of-life issues associated with different surgical therapies for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding

Abstract

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem among women of reproductive age and can be treated medically or surgically. When medical therapy fails to cure menorrhagia, many women undergo hysterectomy. Over the past 15 years, operative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy increasingly have replaced traditional surgery (i.e., abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy). An endoscopic approach such as LAVH has been added to the therapeutic choices of patient and physician. Additionally, hysterectomy alternatives such as endometrial resection and ablation and myomectomy have been offered to women with significant menorrhagia. This article reviewed the cost and quality-of-life issues of endoscopic treatment versus traditional surgical methods. Vaginal hysterectomy is the least costly of all hysterectomy techniques. Studies have shown that for LAVH, direct costs are higher that abdominal hysterectomy. However, this difference decreases with additional operator experience and with the use of nondisposable instrumentation. The indirect cost of LAVH is significantly less than abdominal hysterectomy because of the more rapid convalescence. With endometrial resection and ablation, direct and indirect costs are significantly less than those of hysterectomy even when high failure rates are factored. Women choose this procedure over hysterectomy because it avoids major surgery, allows for a fast return to normal functioning, and entails short hospitalization. Hysterectomy can lead to many psychologic and physical changes for a woman. It continues to provide a high satisfaction rate because it is a guaranteed cure for abnormal bleeding.