London, Oct 27 : Researchers have found that that hysterectomy, a common operation involving the removal of the uterus, increases the risk of urinary incontinence.

Hysterectomy is the most common gynaecological abdominal operation in the world. It is normally performed as a cure for benign medical problems in order to improve life quality for the patients.

The study conducted at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institute has revealed that women who have had a hysterectomy were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery for urinary incontinence, i.e. unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or faeces, as women with intact uteri, reports The Lancet.

In the study patient registers for the years 1973 to 2003 were analysed, and also incorporated over 165,000 women who have had hysterectomies and almost 479,000 women who had not.

The analysis found the highest likelihood of incontinence surgery noted within five years of the removal of the uterus, but the higher risk still remained throughout the patients' lives.

For women who had a hysterectomy before their menopause or after having undergone several deliveries, the risk increased the most.

"It's important that gynaecologists take this into account ahead of a hysterectomy, and the patients should themselves be aware of the greater risk the operation entails, particularly if they belong to a high-risk group," said Daniel Altman, gynaecologist and study researcher.

The study is presented in the current issue of The Lancet. (ANI)