title: The value of minilaparotomy for total hysterectomy for benign uterine disease: a comparative study with conventional Pfannenstiel and laparoscopic approaches.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this paper is to review and compare the results obtained using the Pfannenstiel, laparoscopy and minilaparotomy approaches for total hysterectomy procedure in relation to benign uterine diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective data analysis was performed on 165 patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases at our centre during the period 2004 to 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The minilaparotomy procedure was the fastest procedure with a mean time of 73.4 minutes (range: 67.85 to 78.94 minutes, p < 0.001). Hospital stay was shortest for laparosopic procedure (mean time: 3.24 days, range: 2.86 to 3.61 days) (p < 0.001). The rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications were not statistical different among three procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The minilaparotomy procedure offers a minimally invasive option for total hysterectomy due to benign uterine disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra, Navarra, Spain. proyo@alumni.unav.es
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Royo
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alcázar
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Manero
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olartecoechea
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: López-García