Design: A retrospective review identified all patients who experienced a VCD after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) performed by three minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons from 1/1/2016-9/1/2020. A one time electronic survey was given to measure the incidence of PTSD and sexual dysfunction following VCD.

Setting: Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery clinic at an academic hospital.

Patients or Participants: Subjects were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes for TLH, repair procedures on the vagina, treatment of superficial wound dehiscence, or other procedures on the female genital system.

Interventions: The survey included the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI), and an open-ended questionnaire assessing patient experience and follow-up care after VCD.

Measurements and Main Results: The incidence of VCD after TLH was 1.121% (10/824). The subject response rate was 6/10 (60.0%), with a mean time of 23.5 months (range 10.7 to 33.2) after VCD to survey completion. Respondents had a mean age of 43.5 years (range 39 to 48), gravidity of 2.8 (range 2 to 4), parity of 2.2 (range 1 to 3), and BMI of 26.4 (range 21.46 to 31.9). Primary indications for surgery were pelvic pain, 3/6 (50.0%), abnormal uterine bleeding, 2/6 (33.3%), and fibroid bulk symptoms,1/6 (16.7%). 4/6 (66.7%) subjects reported symptoms of PTSD, with 3/6 (50.0%) screening positive for PTSD using the PCL-5 questionnaire. 3/6 (50.0%) subjects reported symptoms of sexual dysfunction, with 3/6 (50.0%) screening positive for sexual dysfunction using the FSFI questionnaire. Only 2/6 (33.3%) patients reported that they were satisfied with follow-up experience after VCD repair.

Conclusion: PTSD and sexual dysfunction are common after VCD. Developing routine practices for assessment of PTSD and sexual health after VCD provides an opportunity for early intervention and referral to mental and sexual health professionals.