Hysterectomy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A retrospective observational multi-institutional study

Objective To analyze the clinical management, the outcomes, and the trend in hysterectomy rates (HR) in patients who underwent this procedure for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods Multicentric retrospective observational study conducted on 242 patients who underwent hysterectomy for CIN between 2010 and 2020 in nine Italian institutions. Hysterectomy for invasive or micro-invasive neoplasia, sub-total hysterectomy, or trachelectomy were excluded. Results A significant increase in the trend of HR for CIN was recorded (P = 0.002, r = 0.81; C.I. 95%: 0.415-0.949); HR increased from 0.46% in the year 2010 to 3.32% in 2020. The mortality rate was 0.4%, and 5% had operative complications. On definitive histopathology examination, a CIN of any grade was recorded in 71.5% of cases, and an occult invasive cancer in 1.24%. No pathology or CIN1 was found in 26.8% of cases, suggesting over treatment. During follow-up, a vaginal lesion was recorded in 5% of cases. Conclusion A significant increase in the number of hysterectomies performed for CIN in the last 10 years was recorded. Hysterectomy for CIN can lead to complications, risk of the onset of vaginal lesions, and risk of overtreatment, and remains, in the first instance, an unacceptable treatment, to be proposed only after adequate counseling.

Automated summary

There has been a significant increase in the number of hysterectomies performed for CIN in the past decade. However, this procedure carries risks of complications, the onset of vaginal lesions, and overtreatment, which highlights the importance of proper counseling before making a decision.