title: Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy: is it a genuine alternative?
abstract: Hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, is one of the most common operative procedures performed in the United States. Traditionally, the procedure was either abdominal, with a laparotomy incision, or vaginal, with all dissection being performed through the vagina. Today a new alternative, the laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, is available. It is an alternative to the abdominal hysterectomy, and is meant to reduce the percentage of abdominal versus vaginal hysterectomies. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies may be performed on vaginal hysterectomy cases for learning purposes.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Lindsey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011182:Postoperative Care