title: [Analysis of need for sick leave after hysterectomy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommended sick leave after hysterectomy varies among operating wards and depends on many non-medical issues. The recommendation is rarely validated scientifically and is often without any connection to the women's actual handling of the leave if this is not recorded as part of a project. We analysed the postoperative period for a group of hysterectomised women who kept a diary over eight weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2005 and June 2006 all hysterectomised women entered the diary project if they fulfilled the following criteria: the operation was indicated by meno-metrorrhagia, dysplasia, pressure symptoms or pain, she was under 60, she was Danish-speaking and in full-time work which was to be recommenced after operation. Women were excluded if they were operated for descended uterus, if a major re-operation was performed or, unexpectedly, endometriosis or malignancy was found. Our ward's recommendation on sick leave was four weeks for vaginal hysterectomy and six weeks for abdominal hysterectomy, but with emphasis on the necessary individualization of sick leave. Once a week, the women answered eight questions on their well-being and activities in the diary and returned the diary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 71 women entered the study, 27 with vaginal hysterectomy and 44 with abdominal hysterectomy. After one week, none of the women suffered from nausea or discomfort, while 20% were still complaining of pain. Less than half of the women had commenced work one week after the recommended sick leave. At that time, two thirds had recommenced their former leisure activities but less than half of the women's sex lives were as before the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of women extend their sick leave beyond the recommended period on their own initiative, despite the ward's long recommended period of sick leave. It is questionable whether the actual period of sick leave can be cut by shortening the recommended sick leave.
authors.affiliation: Regionshospital Vest, Herning, Gynaekologisk-obstetrisk Afdeling.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Shamael Khalaf Abbas
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Al-Khafagi
authors.forename: Lisbeth Marianne
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Thøstesen
authors.forename: Finn Friis
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Lauszus
authors.forename: Kjeld Leisgård
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012086:Reoperation; D018582:Sick Leave; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation