Objective: The present study is a prospective randomized comparison of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LH) with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).
Methods: 100 patients referred for uterine removal were included in the study, 46 undergoing LH and 54 TAH, at two teaching hospitals in Norway.
Results: In the LH group, the duration of surgery was longer while duration of hospitalization and time from operation to return to normal activity were shorter as compared to the TAH group. Postoperative pain, assessed by the need for analgesics, was less in the LH group. All these differences were statistically significant. There were two ureteral lesions in the LH group, and one center withdrew early from the study for this reason.
Conclusions: In expert hands, LH as a primary method for uterine removal is superior to TAH.