title: Comparison of postoperative vaginal length and sexual function after abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare vaginal length and sexual function after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), and vaginal hysterectomy (VH).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present cross-sectional study at a single center in Turkey compared vaginal length and sexual function among women who received TLH, TAH, VH, or no surgery (groups 1, 2, 3, and 0, respectively) between January 2011 and April 2014. All women underwent hysterectomy for benign reasons at least 3months before the study and were sexually active. Vaginal length was measured between the hymenal ring and vaginal apex. Sexual function was assessed via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire, short form (PISQ-12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaginal length in groups 0, 1, 2, and 3 was 10.9±1.5, 8.9±1.4, 8.5±1.2, and 8.1±0.7cm, respectively; it was significantly longer in the control group (P<0.001), and significantly shorter in group 3 than in group 1 (P=0.03). The mean PISQ-12 score in groups 0, 1, 2, and 3 was 18.6±5.2, 12.9±3.0, 13.8±4.4, and 11.5±4.4, respectively, and was significantly higher in group 0 (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total hysterectomy shortened vaginal length and compromised sexual function regardless of the technique used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Önder
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Ercan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Electronic address: serdarztb78@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alev
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Özer
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Köstü
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakacak
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gürkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kıran
authors.affiliation: Ağrı Patnos State Hospital, Ağrı, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fazıl
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Avcı
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Hysterectomy; PISQ-12 score; Vaginal length