Transvaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy for nonprolapsed uteri

BACKGROUND: To define a rational guideline for the use of either laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) or transvaginal hysterectomy in dealing with a nonprolapsed uterus. METHODS: A total of 452 patients receiving LAVH or transvaginal hysterectomy were retrospectively studied between October 2002 and October 2004. The operative time, estimated blood loss, uterine weight, and complications were all recorded for analysis. RESULTS: Significant linear correlations of uterine weight with operative time and estimated blood loss could be seen only in the transvaginal hysterectomy group. Transvaginal hysterectomy required significantly shorter operative time, but longer duration when the uterine weight exceeded 350 g. These 452 patients were stratified into 4 subgroups according to the uterine weight and hysterectomy procedure. Data are expressed as the mean +/- standard deviation. For uterine weight less than 350 g, transvaginal hysterectomy had significantly shorter operative time than LAVH (80 +/- 27 minutes compared with 118 +/- 21 minutes, P < .05) but similar blood loss (70 mL compared with 74 mL). For uterine weight 350 g or less, transvaginal hysterectomy had not only significantly longer operative time (139 +/- 30 minutes compared with 118 +/- 17 minutes, P < .05) but also more blood loss (242 +/- 162 mL compared with 66 +/- 51 mL, P < .05) than LAVH. CONCLUSION: In view of the shorter operative time and less blood loss, LAVH is preferable for uterine weight 350 g or more, whereas transvaginal hysterectomy is better in dealing with uteri weighing less than 350 g.