Objective: To compare outpatient laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with standard outpatient vaginal hysterectomy.
Methods: Fifty-six women scheduled for vaginal hysterectomy were randomly assigned to undergo either a laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with endoscopic staples (N = 29) or a standard vaginal hysterectomy (N = 27). There were no differences between the study groups with regard to age, gravidity, parity, preoperative indications, and previous operations.
Results: Twenty-eight of 29 laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomies and all 27 vaginal hysterectomies were completed without incident. When indicated, unilateral or bilateral oophorectomies were completed. The mean operating time was significantly longer for laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (120.1 versus 64.7 minutes). Fifty-three of the 55 patients completing surgery were discharged home by 12 hours from the time of admission. Complications with laparoscopic hysterectomy were related to the technical aspects of laparoscopy. The incidence of febrile morbidity was similar in the groups. Although patients having laparoscopy-assisted hysterectomy required statistically significantly more pain medication and had lower postoperative hematocrit measurements, this did not make a clinical difference in the postoperative courses. The mean hospital charge for laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was $7905 and for vaginal hysterectomy $4891.
Conclusion: Other than cost, laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and standard vaginal hysterectomy appear comparable in patients who could otherwise undergo a vaginal hysterectomy.