title: Microlaparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in the morbidly obese patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a minimally invasive, novel variation, microlaparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (MAVH) of a previously established technique, laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), in the morbidly obese patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, descriptive feasibility study (Canadian Task Force classification 11-2) conducted at a university-affiliated hospital and private community hospital. Seven morbidly obese women with an average body mass index of 45.8 kg/m2 (range, 40.6 to 51.5) underwent microlaparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (MAVH). Microlaparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (MAVH), classified as Type 1B, including unilateral or bilateral occlusion and division of the ovarian artery(ies), either medial or lateral to the ovary(ies), with or without dissection of the adjacent broad ligament under microlaparoscopic guidance, in addition to incision of the vesicouterine peritoneum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median duration of surgery was 109.1 minutes (range, 86 to 134), median blood loss was 207 mL (range, 100 to 350), and average length of stay in the hospital was 33.7 hours (range, 23 to 48). The complication rate was 0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microlaparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (MAVH) is a safe and effective, more minimally invasive method of performing laparoscopic hysterectomies in select morbidly obese patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, and Providence Park OB-GYN, PC, Mobile, Alabama, USA. odalmeida@aol.com
authors.forename: Oscar D
authors.initials: OD
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000379:methods*; D015907:Hysteroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery