Should we perform subtotal hysterectomy associated with sacral colpopexy for genital prolapse to prevent the risk of endometrial cancer?

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In a menopausal woman scheduled for curative surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) by sacral colpopexy (SC), the question of concomitant hysterectomy is frequently considered by the surgeon. The risk of endometrial cancer (EC) exists in this population, and increases with age and body mass index. The French college of gynecologists and obstetricians (CNGOF) decided to issue good practice guidelines on subtotal hysterectomy (SH) for postmenopausal women scheduled for SC for POP. METHODS: The CNGOF has decided to adopt the AGREE II and GRADE systems for grading scientific evidence. Each recommendation for practice was allocated a grade, which depends on the quality of evidence (QE) (clinical practice guidelines). RESULTS: The prevalence of occult endometrial cancer (EC) found on pathological analysis after SH in this context (concomitant SH associated with SC) is low (<1%) (QE high). Few studies have assessed the value of preoperative uterine exploration. Performing SH during SC is associated with its own risks, which may diminish the potential "carcinological prevention benefit". Uterine morcellation, performed by laparoscopy or a robot-assisted procedure, is associated with a low risk (<0.6%) of dissemination of an unknown sarcoma/EC (QE moderate) A risk of dissemination of parasitic myomas (<0.5%) is also possible (QE moderate). CONCLUSION: It is not recommended to perform a subtotal hysterectomy associated with sacral colpopexy for the sole purpose of reducing the occurrence of endometrial cancer (Recommendation STRONG [GRADE 1-]; the level of evidence was considered to be low and the risk-benefit balance was considered not to be favorable).