Perioperative complication rate in 1706 patients after a standardized laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine perioperative morbidity and complication rate after a standardized technique of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH).

DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

SETTING: Private hospital.

PATIENTS: Seventeen hundred and six consecutive patients with symptomatic uterine myomata, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, or chronic pelvic pain.

INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy using a unipolar hook for dissection of the body of the uterus followed by electric morcellation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main indications for LASH were uterine myomata with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (31.1%) or without (45.4%) and therapy-resistant dysfunctional uterine bleeding (21%). The mean uterine weight was 226.4 +/- 193.9 g (95% CI 217.1-235.6), the mean duration of surgery was 91.4 +/- 33.3 minutes (95% CI 89.9-93.0), and the mean duration of hospital stay was 2.15 +/- 0.63 days (95% CI 2.12-2.18). Nine hundred two (52.9%) of the patients had a history of at least one laparotomy. In 14 patients (0.82%), a conversion to laparotomy was necessary. Of these, 11 were due to the size and immobility of the uterus, one was due to severe adhesions, and two because of intraoperative complications. In total, five (0.3%) intraoperative and 20 (1.2%) postoperative complications occurred. The mean weight of the uterus in the five patients with intraoperative complications (three bladder injuries, one ureter injury, and one severe intraoperative bleed) was 818.4 +/- 911.9 g (95% CI -313.9-1950.7). In two patients who suffered trauma to the bladder, there was a history of cesarean sections (two and three, respectively). The most common postoperative complications were bleeding from the cervix and pain caused by adhesions or postoperative infection.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is a minimally invasive surgical method that should be regarded as an alternative to all other methods of total hysterectomy in benign conditions of the uterus (uterine myomata, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, uterine adenomyosis) as it is associated with a low perioperative morbidity and a rapid period of convalescence. Of special significance is that LASH can be performed on nulliparous patients, patients who have not previously had vaginal delivery, and patients who have had previous abdominal surgery.