Early complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Since Reich first described laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) in 1989, a number of series have appeared in the literature detailing complications of this procedure. This review included all series obtained through a MEDLINE search from April 1989 through October 1994. Also included were series from the Journal of Gynecologic Surgery, Gynaecological Endoscopy, and the Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Rates of various complications were calculated and compared with existing standards for abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy. Hemorrhage and injury to adjacent organs were fairly similar between traditional hysterectomy methods and LH. Infectious morbidity, however, was decreased in LH. Caution should be used in interpreting these data, as these initial reports come predominantly from leading experts in the field of endoscopic surgery. Whether these rates can be duplicated in a community hospital is debatable.