title: Vaginal hysterectomy with bipolar coagulation forceps (BiClamp) as an alternative to the conventional technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using bipolar coagulation forceps in vaginal hysterectomy and to compare the effects of this method with those of the conventional technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 30 patients was operated on with bipolar coagulation forceps and the next 30 were operated on using the traditional method. The following parameters were observed: duration of procedure, blood loss, complications, postoperative pain, hospitalization time and cost of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The duration of the surgical procedure and hospitalization time were similar in both groups. Blood loss was lower in the BiClamp group. There were no serious complications in either group. In one case with BiClamp, laparotomy was performed to stop persistent bleeding; the after-effects of the laparotomy were not statistically significant. The patients in the BiClamp group reported less pain, experienced shorter recuperation times and incurred lower treatment costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The BiClamp technique is a good alternative to traditional hysterectomy methods as it causes lower blood loss during surgery, causes less post-operative pain and is economically more favorable for the patient and hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Regional Hospital in Kalisz, Kalisz, Poland. samulakd@wp.pl
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samulak
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilczak
authors.forename: Magdalena Monika
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Michalska
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pięta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged