The classic intrafascial Semm hysterectomy as an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the classic intrafascial Semm hysterectomy (CISH) with abdominal hysterectomy.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Community hospital.


METHODS
The first 100 women with intractable uterine bleeding, leiomyomata, and chronic pelvic pain.


METHODS
The CISH procedure, initially with the Endo GIA stapler, but later, electrocoagulation and suture to lower costs and eliminate automatic staple complications.


RESULTS
Operating time for CISH decreased and our ability to remove larger uteri increased as we became more proficient. Complications were limited to one cystotomy and four transfusions. The average hospital stay was 36 hours and most patients were back to normal activity in 3 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience suggests that the CISH is organ preserving, is minimally invasive, decreases recovery time, and can be performed in women in whom an open abdominal approach once would have been the only option.
Levine
D J
DJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA.
Botney
K
K
D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery