Hysterectomy: comparative data analysis of laparoscopic and vaginal approach

Abstract

Objective: To compare the hysterectomy techniques (vaginal and laparoscopic) as to the superiority of one over the other, based on the number of hospitalizations, cost in total value, mortality rate and deaths. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study using epidemiological data from the Department of Informatics of SUS (DATASUS) between January 2010 and December 2015 in southeastern Brazil. Patients were divided into: Group 1: vaginal hysterectomy and Group 2: laparoscopic hysterectomy. Quantitative data with normal distribution were described with mean, and 95% confidence interval error for the mean or with median and interquartile range for non-normal distribution. Statistical analysis used the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student's t test (difference between means), and the unpaired Wilcoxon test (Mann-Whitney). Results: Death, mortality and mean length of stay variables did not show statistical difference, while total cost was different. The item hospitalization is not relevant because it only reflects variations throughout the year. Conclusion: Mean length of stay, death and mortality rates did not differ regardless of the surgery performed, and it is not possible to recommend one over the other.