title: A comparison of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy.
abstract: The goal of this study was to compare laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).  We performed a prospective comparison of the hospital courses of 30 women, 15 undergoing LAVH and 15 undergoing TAH, in a teaching hospital setting.  Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used, with statistical evaluation of differences by Student's t-test for normally distributed data and Kruskal-Wallis for data with dissimilar variances.  Fourteen of fifteen patients scheduled for LAVH had their surgery completed without need of a laparotomy.  In the LAVH group, (1) mean surgical time was 50 minutes longer, (2) blood loss, complications, and hospital costs were not statistically different, (3) hospital days averaged 1 1/2 less, and (4) postoperative pain ratings and medication requirements were significantly decreased, compared with the TAH group.  In many cases, LAVH may be reasonably performed instead of an indicated TAH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010388:Pelvis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery