The initial worcester experience with laparoscopic hysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine three community hospital's experience with the first 108 attempted laparoscopic hysterectomies.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of hospital and office charts using a standardized data-collection sheet.


METHODS
All procedures were performed at the Medical Center of Central Massachusetts, St. Vincent's Hospital, or the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.


METHODS
The first 108 patients to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy attempted. Ninety procedures were completed successfully.


RESULTS
Areas that were analyzed were indications for surgery, type of laparoscopic hysterectomy, surgeons' instrument preference, failure to complete the operation, complications, and relative cost. Surgical indications, patient demographics, and complication rates were comparable with those unpublished papers. However, our data showed no improvement in estimated blood loss or operating room time with increased operator experience. Review of pathology reports indicated no cases in which an unsuspected malignancy was encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed safely and successfully by generalists in obstetrics and gynecology. Additional study is required to know whether variables such as operating room time and expense will improve as this procedure is increasingly performed by generalists rather than specialists.
Angle
H S
HS
Newton-Wellesley Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2000 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02162, USA.
Cohen
S M
SM
Hidlebaugh
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery