OBJECTIVES: The aim of our research was to examine the changes in the number of hysterectomy performed in the European OECD countries between 2010 and 2021.

METHODS: The following hysterectomy indicators were analysed from the “OECD Health Statistics 2023” database for the period 2010-2021: total procedures per 100,000 females, inpatient cases per 100,000 females, day cases per 100,000 females as well as inpatient and day case percentages. 24 European OECD countries were grouped according to the geographical location (Western and Eastern European countries). Data were subsequently compared by parametric and nonparametric tests for the years 2010 and 2021.

RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, the average number of hysterectomy performed per 100,000 females decreased from 212.2 to 174.7 (-18%) in all European OECD countries examined. Of which, the proportion of inpatient cases decreased from 99.5% to 94.9% (-4.6%), and the average number of inpatient cases per 100,000 females from 215.2 to 166.5 (-23%). Meanwhile, the proportion of the day cases increased tenfold from 0.5% to 5.1% and the average number of day cases per 100,000 females increased sixteenfold from 0.5 to 8.3. When comparing Western and Eastern European countries, we did not find significant difference in terms of the total number of procedures, inpatient cases and day cases between 2010 and 2021. In 2010, the total number of hysterectomy procedures was the highest in Germany (344.1/100,000 females), and the lowest in Denmark (56.1/100,000 females). In 2020, the total number of hysterectomy procedures was the highest in Switzerland (263.2/100,000 females), while the lowest in Hungary (100.3/100,000 females).

CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the average number of hysterectomy performed, including inpatient cases decreased in all European OECD countries between 2010 and 2021. The decrease might due to the rising trends of non-surgical approaches and other preventive measures as well as minimally invasive surgery.