Comparison of two procedures for laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy of large myomatous uteri

Study Objective. To evaluate whether laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels (LBCUV) and supracervical amputation improve laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Design. Prospective, randomized, longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). Setting. Private practice, university-affiliated hospital. Patients. Sixty-four women (age 31-52 yrs) with symptomatic myomatous uteri larger than 12 weeks on bimanual examination. Interventions. LAVH with or without LBCUV and laparoscopic supracervical amputation followed by trachelectomy. Measurements and Main Results. LBCUV and laparoscopic supracervical amputation followed by trachelectomy and removal of the specimen vaginally were performed successfully in 29 women (group A). Hysterectomy was performed successfully in 32 comparable patients (group B) with severing of the round ligament, ovarian ligament, or infundibulopelvic ligament, and preparation of the bladder flap in the laparoscopic phase, and severing of uterine vessels and cardinal-uterosacral ligament complex through the vagina. Average blood loss was 169.8 and 308.7 ml in groups A and B, respectively (p <0.05); average operating time was 126.4 and 152.8 minutes, respectively (p <0.05); hemoglobin decreased on average 0.9 and 1.7 g/100 ml, respectively (p <0.05). Conclusion. LBCUV and laparoscopic supracervical amputation followed by trachelectomy reduce operating time and blood loss in LAVH, and allow conversion of many abdominal procedures to laparoscopy.