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BACKGROUND: Fallopian tube prolapse is reported to most commonly occur after vaginal hysterectomy. Both diagnosis and management have varied, resulting in differing efficacies of treatment. METHODS: We reviewed the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of 18 cases of tubal prolapse in 17 women. RESULTS: Most cases (65%) occurred after abdominal hysterectomy. The post-hysterectomy course was complicated by cuff cellulitis in three women, an infected cuff hematoma in one, and post-extubation pulmonary edema in one; four were observed for elevated temperature only. At presentation, 44% complained of dyspareunia, 39% vaginal bleeding, 33% vaginal discharge, 28% abdominal pain, and 28% were asymptomatic. Seven women had vaginal excision (one requiring an additional abdominal procedure), three had laparotomy with salpingectomy, and seven (41%) had spontaneous disappearance of prolapsed fallopian tube without treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, tubal prolapse most commonly occurred after abdominal hysterectomy. Moreover, women with tubal prolapse may be asymptomatic, and observation alone may lead to resolution.

Two hundred fourteen women having vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy were entered into a prospective, randomized, blind clinical trial comparing a preoperative intravenous dose of piperacillin to three perioperative intravenous doses of cefoxitin given over an eight-hour period. Interregimen clinical, surgical, and outcome variables of the 207 evaluable subjects were statistically similar, but there were significant interprocedure differences in a variety of categories; many benefits exist when vaginal hysterectomy is possible. Efficacy of a single dose of piperacillin was similar to that of three cefoxitin doses. Seven women (3.4%) had major postoperative infection requiring parenteral antimicrobial therapy, two (1.9%) after vaginal hysterectomy and five (4.8%) after abdominal hysterectomy. Three of the latter five infections (60%) occurred after discharge from the hospital. Even with prophylaxis, postoperative anemia was associated with increased frequency of infection at the operative site after both procedures, and diabetes was associated with late infection of the abdominal incision after abdominal hysterectomy.