Adhesion-related readmissions following gynaecological laparoscopy or laparotomy in Scotland

1: Hum Reprod. 2004 Aug;19( :1877-85. Epub 2004 Jun 03.
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Adhesion-related readmissions following gynaecological laparoscopy or laparotomy in Scotland: an epidemiological study of 24 046 patients.Lower AM, Hawthorn RJ, Clark D, Boyd JH, Finlayson AR, Knight AD, Crowe AM.Isis Fertility Centre, Colchester CO4 9YA, Southern General NHS Trust, Glasgow G51 4TF, Information and Statistics Division, Common Services Agency, Trinity Park House, Edinburgh EH5 3SQ Evicom, Twickenham TW1 2AA, and Corvus, Buxted TN22 4PB, UK.
BACKGROUND: Gynaecological laparotomies are associated with considerable adhesion-related burdens; however, few data are available concerning laparoscopic surgery. This study evaluated the epidemiology of adhesion-related readmissions following open and laparoscopic procedures.

METHODS: Records from 24 046 patients undergoing gynaecological surgery in Scottish National Health Service hospitals during 1996 were assessed retrospectively. Cohorts comprised 15 197 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery and 8849 patients undergoing laparotomies. Adhesion-related readmission episodes (directly and possibly related) were assessed over 4 years following initial surgery and were expressed as percentages of the number of initial procedures.
RESULTS: Directly adhesion-related readmissions 1 year after initial laparoscopic surgery were: in the high-risk group (adhesiolysis and cyst drainage) 1.3%; medium-risk (therapeutic and diagnostic procedures not categorized as high- or low-risk) 1.5%; and low-risk (Fallopian tube sterilizations) 0.2%. Readmissions for laparotomy following surgery on the Fallopian tubes were 0.9%, ovaries 2.1%, uterus 0.6% and vagina 0%. Readmissions occurred at reduced rates in the second, third and fourth years after surgery. Exclusion of patients who underwent surgery within the previous 5 years resulted in reduced readmission rates following laparotomy and high-risk laparoscopy.
CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of laparoscopic sterilizations, open and laparoscopic gynaecological surgery are associated with comparable risks of adhesion-related readmissions.PMID: 15178659 [PubMed - in process]