Outcomes and complications of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

Received 24 February 2006; received in revised form 19 June 2006; accepted 20 June 2006. published online 10 August 2006.

Abstract

Objective

To report whether operative time, intraoperative complications, and rate of conversion to laparotomy decreased after physicians had acquired an additional 4years experience with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).

Methods

Group 1 (n=462) included the women who underwent LAVH from May 1, 1994 to December 31, 1997, and group 2 (n=583) included those who underwent LAVH from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2001.

Results

The mean duration of surgery in groups 1 and 2 was 146 and 114 min, respectively, and the difference was significant (P<0.0001). The overall complication rate in the last 4years of the study was 7.1%, which was significantly lower than the 13.4% calculated for the first 4years (P=0.001).

Conclusion

Operative time as well as rates of surgical complications and conversion to laparotomy decreased with increased surgeon experience at performing LAVH.

Keywords: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, LAVH, Operative time, Intraoperative complications

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Li-Shin Hospital, Pingjin, Taoyuan County, Taiwan

c North Town Women and Children Hospital, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan

d School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Hsinchuang, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan

e Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, 95, Wen-Chang Road, Shih-Lin District, Taipei 111, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 28332211; fax: +886 2 28389416.

PII: S0020-7292(06)00341-9

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2006.06.014

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