title: Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
abstract: Retrospective analysis of 200 laparoscopic hysterectomies performed from June 1991 to July 31, 1995, showed the main indications to be symptomatic uterine fibroids, advanced endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometrial hyperplasia with atypia. Some women had more than one indication, and pathology reports contained more than one diagnosis. Three cases were converted to abdominal procedures. Operating room time was under 2 hours in general, and blood loss was around 120 ml. Most of the initial cases were performed with endostapling. This technique was changed in favor of bipolar and unipolar coagulation and suturing. Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a safe, superior technique that should be an integral part of gynecologic practice.
authors.affiliation: Baystate Medical Center, 2 Medical Center Drive, Springfield, MA 01107.
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charles