title: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in a community hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact and value of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in a community hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recording and evaluating various clinical parameters related to LAVH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our experience with 180 procedures confirmed that this procedure can be performed safely and effectively in a remote setting. The benefits are high patient acceptance, higher rate of vaginal as opposed to abdominal hysterectomies, less pain, shorter hospital stay and earlier return to daily activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAVH in a community hospital fills a need in gynecologic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Lower Columbia Women's Clinic, Longview, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Reisner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miollis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies