title: A comparison of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies in Benghazi, Libya.
abstract: We performed a comparative study between abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies using clinical data from Al-Jamhouria hospital (one of the largest maternity hospitals in Eastern Libya). Various parameters were taken into consideration: the rates of each type (and their subtypes); average age of patients; indications; causes; postoperative complications; and duration of stay in the hospital afterwards. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the results of this study. In light of the aforementioned parameters, it was found that: (1) abdominal hysterectomies were more common than vaginal hysterectomies (p < 0.001); (2) patients admitted for abdominal hysterectomies are younger than those admitted for vaginal hysterectomies (p < 0.001); (3) the most common indication for an abdominal hysterectomy was menstrual disturbances, while for vaginal hysterectomies it was vaginal prolapse; (4) the histopathological cause for abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies were observed and the most common were found to be leiomyomas and atrophic endometrium; (5) there was no significant difference between the two routes in terms of postoperative complications; (6) patients who were admitted for abdominal hysterectomies spent a longer amount of time in the hospital (p < 0.01). It was concluded that efforts should be made to further pursue vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomies as a viable option to the more conventional abdominal route.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al-Jamhouria Hospital, Benghazi University, Libya.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Agnaeber
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bodalal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult