title: Laparoscopic hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the soundness of laparoscopic hysterectomy compared with vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy Design. Nonrandomized, uncontrolled, retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medium-size community hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand six hundred forty-eight women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy, including those with uterine size 17 weeks' gestation or less.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laparoscopic hysterectomy staged as level 4, which includes laparoscopic dissection of the uterine artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median duration of surgery was 36 minutes (range 24-104 min), compared with the usual 115 minutes for laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Complication rate was 0.66%. No complications occurred in the last 3 years when the procedures included transillumination of the ureters. Although the costs associated with disposable equipment are high, the technique is cost effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With proper training and ureteral transillumination, laparoscopic hysterectomy is safe and effective, and with stents, ureteral injury is avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Kaptan Medical Center, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ben-Hur
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Phipps
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000379:methods; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors