title: Intrafascial abdominal hysterectomy: outcomes and complications of 867 operations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively evaluate the results and complications of the surgical technique of intrafascial abdominal hysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 1993 to February 1998, 867 women at four institutions from the Department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, underwent intrafascial abdominal hysterectomy. Information on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics before hysterectomy, indications for hysterectomy, surgical outcomes and intra- and post-operative complications were collected. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 12 months post-operatively and annually thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 63 months (median=45 months). The mean blood loss was 286+/-112 ml. Operative time averaged 71+/-11 min. The overall operative site infection rate was 4%. Intra- and post-operative hemorrhage occurred in 0.2 and 1.0% of patients, respectively. The transfusion rate was 0.7%. The incidences of ureteral, bladder, and bowel injury were 0.1, 0.4 and 0.0%, respectively. To date, none of the patients followed up between 1 and 5 years have had evidence of vaginal vault prolapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrafascial abdominal hysterectomy is a safe technique with a low rate of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Carlos Holmes Trujillo Hospital, Cali, Colombia. condeagu@uniweb.net.co
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conde-Agudelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome