Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology: is it time to change?

OBJECTIVE To determine the acceptability and outcome of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi. DESIGN A retrospective case analysis. SUBJECTS Two hundrend and twenty nine cases of laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy were undertaken at various hospitals in the presence of the principal author from May 2000 to December 2003. Of these 149 (65.06%) were performed at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi. These cases have been reviewed, analysed and presented. EXCLUSIONS All cases performed at the various other hospitals were excluded, along with those cases of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy which are now being performed by other consultants obstetricians and gynaecologists, on their own and who have now learnt the technique RESULTS Over the last three years, 149 cases of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy were undertaken at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi. Annual case load increased from three cases in 2000, to 71 cases by December, 2003. Fifty one percent of the patients were between 46 to 50 years of age, while 93.9% were para 2 + 0 and above. Menorrhagia was the presenting complaint in 55.7%. The operative procedure was performed in 91 to 120 minutes in 58.3% of the cases. Hospital stays were two nights in 95.3%. The complications encountered were bladder injury (3.4%), bowel injury (1.3%), port site herniation (0.67%) and a delayed recognition of bladder injury (0.67%). CONCLUSION In Kenya, laparoscopic surgery is gradually being accepted by gynaecologists and general surgeons. The conversion from total abdominal hysterectomy to laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy for benign uterine pathology is now becoming more popular amongst gynaecologists and patients. With time laparoscopic assistance during hysterectomy will become the norm.