Safety and efficacy of vaginal hysterectomy in the large uterus with the LigaSure bipolar diathermy system.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to assess safety and efficacy of vaginal hysterectomy in case of large uterine size (> or = 250 g) using the LigaSure bipolar diathermy (Valleylab, Boulder, CO).


METHODS
In a retrospective study, medical records of 102 patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and who had uterine weight (evaluated after surgery) 250 g or greater were reviewed. All hysterectomies were performed by using the LigaSure vessel sealing system to secure vascular pedicles (uterosacral-cardinal, uterine and ovarian and round ligaments).


RESULTS
Of the 102 vaginal hysterectomies, 99 were successfully performed (97.1%; 95% confidence interval, 91.6-99.4%), whereas a conversion from the vaginal to the abdominal route was required in 3 cases. The median uterine weight was 455 g (range, 241-1913 g). The weight of the largest uterus successfully removed vaginally was 1600 g, without intraoperative and postoperative complications. The median operative time was 50 minutes (range, 25-50 minutes).


CONCLUSIONS
The current study confirms that very large uterine volume does not represent a real obstacle to perform vaginal hysterectomy and that results in a safe and effective technique in cases of uterine weight 250 g or greater.
Mistrangelo
Emanuela
E
Unit of Minimally Invasive Gynecology-Ginteam, Torino, Italy.
Febo
Giorgio
G
Ferrero
Barbara
B
Ferrero
Simone
S
Deltetto
Francesco
F
Camanni
Marco
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*