Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal subtotal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND

A novel approach in combined laparoscopic and vaginal procedures through the posterior cul-de-sac for subtotal hysterectomy is introduced.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty-one women with menometrorrhagia, symptomatic adenomyosis, or uterine myomas were enrolled in this study. After laparoscopic dissection of bilateral round ligaments and adnexa, a guiding suture brought the uterine fundus down through the posterior cul-desac into the vagina via a posterior colpotomy. Subtotal hysterectomy and hemostasis of the cervical stump were then performed transvaginally by conventional techniques and equipment.

RESULTS

Mean operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 111.2 +/- 28.8 minutes, 252.4 +/- 147.9 mL, and 3.2 +/- 0.9 days, respectively. No patients developed serious complications, but 1 patient had a postoperative stump infection and was treated with 2 combined antibiotics, uneventfully.

CONCLUSION

A combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach in performing subtotal hysterectomy through the posterior cul-de-sac is an alternative to a purely laparoscopic approach.