ABSTRACT

Background and objectives:

Laparoscopic assistance was introduced at the end of the 1980s with the purpose of enlarging the indications of vaginal hysterectomy and reducing the indications of abdominal hysterectomy. The purpose of the study is to reconsider the indications for laparoscopic assistance.

Methods:

In the period 2005-2013 1516 vaginal hysterectomies (VH) were performed on unprolapsed uteri by the same surgical team. Of these, a total of 279 (18.4%) cases received laparoscopic assistance (ALVH).

Results:

The main indications for assisting laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomies were facilitating difficult hysterectomies in 85.6% of cases and solving associated pelvic pathology in 15.4% of cases. Comparative results and specific complications of the two variants of vaginal hysterectomy are presented.

Interpretation and conclusions:

ALVH should not replace VH. ALVH is required in difficult cases or when other pelvic gynecological pathology must be solved simultaneously.