Vaginal cuff closure with abdominal hysterectomy. A new approach.

A 2.5-year study was conducted to compare side-to-side closure of the vaginal cuff with the traditional front-to-back closure. Candidates for abdominal hysterectomy were selected from among those in the author's private practice, and 100 patients were chosen to participate in the study. All surgery was performed by the author. Comparisons were made of blood loss, enterocele formation and postoperative results, consisting of vaginal depth, vaginal support, and discomfort from and stress on the vaginal cuff scar as they related to the patients' complaints of dyspareunia with deep penetration.