The analysis of vaginal hysterectomy results depending on the uterine size

Abstract

Objectives: Vaginal hysterectomy is one of the oldest but still rarely used minimally invasive techniques. Although new surgical methods making use of robots in laparoscopy have been introduced recently, when compared with vaginal hysterectomy, these approaches do not offer significant benefits for the patients and the doctors operating on them. The purpose of this study was a thorough analysis of vaginal removal of non-prolapsed uterus with benign pathology. Material and methods: The analysis included data of 1148 women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy in the Clinic of Surgical, Endoscopic and Oncological Gynecology between 2002 and 2014. A group of patients operated on were assessed, and data from the surgeries were obtained paying attention to such aspects as the operating time, the evaluation of morphotic blood elements, the type of perioperative complications, and the length of postoperative hospital stay. Additionally, all vaginal hysterectomies were divided into groups and analyzed taking into consideration uterus weight. Results: Vaginal hysterectomy was performed even in cases of earlier abdominal surgeries. The mean operating time was and 69.51 ± 28.32 minutes. The patients left hospital after 2.93 days on average. The mean uterus weight was 179.69 ± 113.54 g. What is important, the enlarged uterus was not a significant obstacle during the surgery. In case of heavy uteri of more than 580g, when the fundus of the uterus reached above the navel, the attention was drawn to the need for careful preparatory procedures, which reduced the number of perioperative complications and thus had a significant influence on the length of the operation (p = 0.0170). Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy is an operating technique which is relatively easy to perform and safe for the patients because it involves a slight decrease of morphotic blood elements and a small number of mid- and postoperative complications. Vaginal hysterectomy is not a contraindication in case of large uteri, even those of more than 1000 g; however, in such cases, a longer operating time and an increased number of perioperative complications must be taken into consideration.