Taking the tube: Uptake of salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy for benign indications.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend the fallopian tubes be removed at the time of hysterectomy, to lower the incidence of ovarian cancer in women.

AIMS: To determine the rate of salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy at our institution and to discuss a standard rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hysterectomies (n = 200) performed for benign indications from 13 January 13, 2015 until 26 April 26, 2016 were reviewed.

RESULTS: The overall rate of salpingectomy was 76.0%. Factors associated with non-completion were uterovaginal prolapse indication and vaginal surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS: Rates of completing salpingectomy with hysterectomy are high. There may be additional opportunity for ovarian cancer reduction. No standard rate has been published but considering difficulty with removal of fallopian tubes in certain cases, it may not be 100%. Our data allows for comparison by other units performing similar studies. We recommend the formal adoption of local guidelines regarding salpingectomy at the time of hysterectomy for benign indications in order to keep local practice up to date with international recommendations.