Comparison of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy. Study of complications.
BACKGROUND
To compare patent characteristics, diagnoses and complications associated with vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy in the last two decades.


METHODS
From 1974 to 1994, 6,420 women were included in the study. Complications were classified in two categories: intraoperative and postoperative, and psychosexual complications.


RESULTS
Women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy experienced significantly fewer complications than women who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy. Vagina hysterectomy was associated with less febrile morbidity, bleeding requiring transfusion and convalescence than abdominal hysterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Hysterectomy is highly effective for relief of symptoms associated with common non-malignant gynecologic conditions. There is a minimal risk of complications among women undergoing hysterectomy by the abdominal and vaginal route.
Kalogirou
D
D
2nd Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, Greece.
Antoniou
G
G
Karakitsos
P
P
Zioris
C
C
Salampasis
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology