title: Microlaparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. A preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical possibility of using a microlaparoscope in laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five women with different indications for hysterectomy and a uterine size < 14 weeks' gestation underwent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy using a microlaparoscope and 2-mm instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microlaparoscopic procedures included coagulation and separation of infundibulopelvic or uteroovarian round ligaments, vesico-uterine-visceral peritoneal fold dissection, and anterior and posterior colpotomy. The mean operative time, blood loss and length of hospital stay were 84.40 +/- 16.85 minutes, 262.00 +/- 112.99 mL and 3.08 +/- 0.64 days, respectively. No patients developed serious complications, but there were two minor ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microlaparoscopy appears to be an efficacious alternative treatment option in well-selected patients undergoing laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Endoscopy, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Soong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*