Objective: Vaginal hysterectomy is an advantageous surgical technique as compared with abdominal hysterectomy: operating time is shorter, it is safer and hospitalization stay and recovery time are shorter. However in France, 2/3 of all hysterectomies are still performed by laparotomy. Would the vaginal approach be reasonable if a difficult hysterectomy is expected? The purpose of our study was to compare the per- and postoperative complications and the period following vaginal hysterectomy versus the abdominal route in patients with a large uterus.
Patients and methods: Forty-nine vaginal hysterectomies were compared retrospectively with 22 abdominal hysterectomies for fibroma during the period from 01.01.91 to 31.12.95. Uterine weight in all cases was between 500 to 1,000 g.
Results: The average uterine weight was significantly different between the vaginal and the abdominal groups (644 g vs 747 g, p = 0.02). Operating time, pre- and postoperative complications and analgesic use were not significantly different between the two groups. Operative bleeding was significantly higher in the abdominal group than in the vaginal group (659 ml vs. 359 ml, p = 0.006), as well as hemoglobin loss (2.49 vs. 1.82, p = 0.04). There was also a statistical difference between the vaginal group and the abdominal groups in terms of hospital stay (4 d vs. 6 d respectively, p = 0.0002).
Conclusion: Vaginal hysterectomy with morcellation is advantageous in comparison with abdominal hysterectomy even when the uterine weight is over 500 g, since it offers better post-operative comfort than laparotomy without endangering the patients. The main contraindications for the vaginal route are uterus beyond the ombilicus and vaginal atresia. Excepting these cases, the indication for the vaginal approach depends on the patient's past surgical history, uterine mobility and vaginal access. In more difficult cases, these factors are assessed under anesthesia.