Laparoscopy-assisted and -prepared hysterectomy. A series of 80 cases

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the interest of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1991 to december 1994, 80 patients had laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. We reviewed with particular emphasis characteristic indications, complications. RESULTS: Eighty were performed as laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. 14 patients (17.5%) had laparotomy conversion; because of size of uterus in 3 cases, suspected ovarian tumor in 3 cases. Pelvic adherences in 4 cases, urinary tract injuries in 1 case, hypercapnia in 1 case, hemorrhage in 2 cases. 9 patients experienced febrile morbidity and 1 urinary infection. 1 patient received 2 units of packed red blood cells. The hospital stay was 5 days for laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy versus 5.9 for laparotomic hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy offers a technique to convert certain abdominal hysterectomies into vaginal hysterectomies with a 17.5% laparoconversion rate.