Outcomes of Women Undergoing Excision of the Retained Cervix After Supracervical Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the indications for and complication rates of excision of the retained cervix after supracervical hysterectomy. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing excision of the retained cervix after supracervical hysterectomy in the 2010-2014 National Inpatient Sample. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes were used to identify indication for the procedure and surgical complications. We weighted the hospital-level data to obtain nationwide estimates of patient characteristics, surgical complications, and length of stay. RESULTS Nationwide, 1,140 women underwent excision of the retained cervix after hysterectomy. Their mean age was 49 years, and the majority were White and privately insured. Leiomyomas were the most commonly coded indication (35%, 95% CI 29-42), followed by prolapse (14%, 95% CI 9-18). Eighteen percent (95% CI 13.0-23.1) were performed for malignancy, including 5.3% (95% CI 2.3-8.2) for cervical cancer. Only 11.5% (95% CI 7.3-15.6) of cases were performed laparoscopically. The overall complication rate was high (38%, 95% CI 32-45), particularly for bleeding complications (26%, 95% CI 20-31) and transfusion (15%, 95% CI 11-20). Gastrointestinal complication rates were second highest (8%, 95% CI 5-12); ileus was the most common gastrointestinal complication (7.0%, 95% CI 3.7-10.4). The median length of stay was 2 days (range 0-34). CONCLUSION Women who undergo excision of the retained cervix after supracervical hysterectomy experience high rates of complications, the most common of which was bleeding. Patient counseling regarding removal of the cervix at the time of hysterectomy should include this information.