title: The feasibility of vaginal hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of vaginal hysterectomy for benign uterine disease and to assess how frequently laparoscopic assistance is necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective series of 806 hysterectomies for benign disease of the uterus without prolapse which were performed in our institution from 1 March 1991 to 28 February 1994 is discussed. The report is an evaluation of a planned approach for hysterectomy. Vaginal hysterectomy was performed whenever possible-laparoscopic hysterectomy was indicated for adnexal pathology, known or anticipated significant pelvic adhesions and for a narrow vaginal access with a moderately enlarged uterus-abdominal hysterectomy was chosen when both laparoscopic and vaginal surgery were judged to be impossible.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vaginal hysterectomy was performed in 80.6% of patients. Laparoscopic assistance was needed in 9.4% of cases. The need for laparotomy was reduced to 10% with an acceptable pre- or postoperative complications rate.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Querleu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Subtil
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Switala
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buchet
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crepin
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000295:instrumentation; D010535:Laparoscopy; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery*