title: Comparison of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy with abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
  
  
  METHODS
  The first 70 cases of LAVH performed in a community hospital were compared with 70 cases of abdominal and 70 cases of vaginal hysterectomy performed by the same physicians during the same period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operating time was 80 minutes for LAVH, 50 for abdominal hysterectomy and 40 for vaginal hysterectomy. The incidence of complications was low for all groups. Although the total mean hospital charges were higher with LAVH, those patients required the least postoperative analgesia, resumed a regular diet earlier, required the shortest hospital stay, and returned to regular activity and work earlier than the other two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAVH offers specific benefits for properly selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Lakeview Hospital, Bountiful, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Doucette
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery*