Laparoscopic-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: A Case Control Comparative Study with Abdominal Hysterectomy
A case control study of the operative time, blood loss, time for return to work, pain levels, and medications was conducted comparing laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVH) with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). The average operating time for LAVH was 151 minutes whereas for TAH it was 99 minutes (P<.01). The average length of stay for the LAVH was 2.5 days and for the abdominal hysterectomy it was 3.5 days (P<.01). During hospitalization the LAVH group required an average of 180 mg of meperidine while the TAH group required 414 mg of meperidine (P<.01). Patients undergoing LAVH reported activity levels of 9.2 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being unlimited activity, by day 14. Abdominal hysterectomy patients' activity was reported as only 6.4 on the same scale (P<.005). The LAVH group, although requiring more operating time, made a more rapid recovery, and less pain medication, and required shorter hospitalization than the TAH group.
Carter
JE
Women's Health Center of South Orange County, 26732 Crown Valley Pkwy., Suite 541, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.
Ryoo
J
Katz
A