Laparoscopic adnexectomy for benign tubo-ovarian disease using abdominal wall lift: a comparison to laparotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of laparoscopic adnexectomy using an abdominal wall-lifting device compared to laparotomy. METHODS: From February 1997 to December 2001, laparoscopic adnexectomy was performed in 68 cases of benign diseases in a university hospital. Three cases (4.4%) were converted to laparotomy due to poor visualization. The control group was a similar cohort of 65 patients who underwent the same procedures using laparotomy. RESULTS: There were 59 ovarian cysts and six tubal pregnancies in each group. Mean analgesic used, hospital stay, recovery period and blood loss were 11.5 mg, 2.0 days, 1.0 week and 49 ml, compared with 151.8 mg, 4.0 days, 3.0 weeks, and 122 ml in the laparotomy group (P<0.0005). Mean operating times and hospital charges were 81.7 min and 293.9 dollars (US), compared with 77.1 min (P=0.108) and 272.7 dollars (US) (P=0.033) in the laparotomy group. No serious complications were found in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Gasless laparoscopic adnexectomy is a safe and effective technique to provide laparoscopic benefit with minimal increase in hospital charges.