Hysterectomy is the most common major gynaecological surgical procedure.

In Australia, around 30,000 hysterectomies are conducted annually to treat uterine cancer and various benign gynaecological conditions. While open abdominal surgery may be necessary in around 10% of cases, evidence shows that less-invasive approaches, such as total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) can achieve better outcomes for women at a lower overall cost to the health system.

Yet, in Queensland, 43% of hysterectomies are conducted by open abdominal surgery.

Our own research has shown that many Australian surgeons are keen to adopt new techniques such as TLH, but that the lack of systematic training and mentoring opportunities is the main impediment to practice-change.

On this trial we will work with the gynaecological surgical team at  hospitals,  to achieve system-level transformative practice change in gynaecologic surgery in Queensland.

Once implemented this will transform how care is provided yielding immediate and sustainable outcomes: surgeons will be upskilled in an evidence-based, minimally-invasive and cost-effective surgical technique, resulting in the better outcomes for women requiring hysterectomy. Better care, at a reduced cost.  

For those authorised, please access the Imagine Manual here.  

Publications

Two IMAGINE Trial papers have recently been published in ANZJOG and ScienceDirect:

Feasibility and safety of a surgical training program in total laparoscopic hysterectomy: Results of a pilot trial - Obermair - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Wiley Online Library

Experience of practicing obstetrician-gynecologists in a surgical training program in total laparoscopic hysterectomy - ScienceDirect

This trial has concluded and is now closed.