Health-related quality of life following hysterectomy by vNOTES versus conventional laparoscopy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate safety, efficacy, pre- and postoperative outcomes of vNOTES hysterectomy compared to conventional laparoscopic (CL) hysterectomy. Material and methods This prospective study was conducted on patients who underwent CL or vNOTES hysterectomy for benign gynecological indications between January and July 2021. Sociodemographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes were evaluated using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Results A total of 228 patients (CL vs. vNOTES: 147 vs. 81) were included. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of blood loss, uterine weight, complications, length of hospital stay, and readmission rate. Patients in the vNOTES group experienced significantly less postoperative pain and required less analgesia compared to those who underwent CL hysterectomy (p < 0.001). The CL group had a shorter operative time (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort dimension (p = 0.047). Conclusion This research showed that vNOTES has various advantages, such as less postoperative pain, reduced analgesic usage, and better HRQoL outcomes three months after surgery.