Objectives Numerous societies, including the Austrian Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OEGGG) in 2015, have recommended prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy (PBS) at the time of benign gynecologic surgery with the intent of ovarian cancer risk reduction. We evaluated implementation and feasibility of PBS at benign, minimally invasive hysterectomy in public hospitals in the Austrian province of Styria in 2014 vs. 2018 (before and after the official recommendation in 2015).

Methods We reviewed surgical consent forms and operative notes of patients undergoing vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications in Styria in 2014 and 2018. Ethics approval was obtained.

Results 1256 benign, minimally invasive hysterectomies were identified (580 in 2014, 676 in 2018). 68% of patients were consented for PBS in 2014 and 94% in 2018 (P<0.05). The PBS rate in consented patients was 88% in 2014 and 83% in 2018 (n.s.). In 2018 PBS was completed more often at laparoscopic than at vaginal hysterectomy (95% vs. 74%, P<0.05). Age and parity were the major influencing factors for success of PBS.

Conclusions PBS at minimally invasive hysterectomy was widely performed in Styria even before the official recommendation in 2015, and increased thereafter to 83% overall in 2018. PBS was accomplished somewhat more often at laparoscopic than at vaginal hysterectomy.