Sterilization, hysterectomy tied to hydrosalpinx: link noted in 9 of 38 hydrosalpinx cases. (Retrospective Study).

DALLAS -- Prior tubal interruption may predispose women undergoing hysterectomy without adnexectomy to the future development of hydrosalpinx, Dr. Abraham Morse said during the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.

"We believe this is the first study to demonstrate a statistical association between the presence of hydrosalpinx and a tubal interruption plus hysterectomy. This is obviously not proof of a causal link, but it's a remarkably strong association," noted Dr. Morse of the University of Massachusetts, Worcester.

"If this hypothesis is supported by further research, perhaps we should consider performing hysterectomy on patients undergoing hysterectomy whether or not the ovaries are going to be left behind," Dr. Morse said at the meeting.

The retrospective case-control study found that in 9 of 38 cases of hydrosalpinx identified at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., between 1995 and 2000, there was a history of tubal interruption and later hysterectomy without adnexectomy.

Only 2 of 45 historic controls--patients who had undergone adnexectomy at the Mayo Clinic between 1997 and 2000- also had had a tubal interruption procedure such as cautery or ligation.

The difference between groups in the percentage of patients who had a tubal interruption procedure was statistically significant.

There also is a biologically plausible mechanism for the ...