Vaginal hysterectomy for benign disorders in obese women: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the morbidity of vaginal hysterectomy in obese and non-obese women in a single institution.


METHODS
Obese and non-obese women with benign uterine disorders matched for age, parity and race underwent vaginal hysterectomy without laparoscopic assistance. Peri-operative outcome complications were compared. Thirty-eight women had a BMI over 30 kg/m(2) (study group) and 178 women had a BMI below 30 kg/m(2) (control group).


METHODS
Gynaecologic department of a university hospital.


METHODS
Women who were referred to our department with an indication of vaginal hysterectomy for benign disorders.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
Peri-operative complications, the fall in the haemoglobin concentration, the duration of the procedure, the length of the hospital stay and uterine weight were analysed.


RESULTS
Mean BMI was 33.2 and 23.7 kg/m(2) in the study and control groups, respectively. None of the obese women had severe co-morbidity contraindicating surgery. There were no significant differences in surgical or anaesthetic risk factors, including parity, hormonal status, pre-existing disease and estimated mean uterine weight. The overall complication rates were 14% and 16% in the obese and non-obese groups, respectively (P= 0.7). Obesity did not increase the duration of the procedure (48 [7] minutes vs 50 [10] minutes, P= 0.1) or the length of hospitalisation (5.8 [1.4] days vs 5.5 [1.2] days, P= 0.2).


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal hysterectomy can be successfully performed, with acceptable morbidity, in obese women.
Rafii
Arash
A
Department of Gynaecology and Obstétrics, Hôpital Beaujon, 92110 Clichy, France.
Samain
Emmanuel
E
Levardon
Michel
M
Darai
Emile
E
Deval
Bruno
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D009929:Organ Size; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*