title: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy as an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy. A pilot study.
abstract: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) allows for conversion of some abdominal hysterectomies to a vaginal route. LAVH may be particularly useful when adnexectomy is indicated. In this study the authors evaluate the results obtained in a series of 21 patients prospectively selected for LAVH. The mean operative time was 96 min (range 58-155), with an estimated blood loss of 218 ml (range 50-510). The mean uterine weight was 320 g (range 105-610). Intraoperative complications were limited to one case of bladder injury which occurred during the vaginal phase of the procedure. No patient required heterologous blood transfusion. No postoperative complications were observed. The average length of hospitalisation was 4.4 days (range 2-9). The authors conclude that LAVH allows for conversion of a significant number of abdominal hysterectomies to a vaginal route and that with respect to the former it is definitely less costly since it allows for earlier hospital discharge and resumal of a normal lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marana
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Paparella
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caruana
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pedullà
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancuso
mesh_terms: D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery