Comparison of laparoscopic and abdominal methods of hysterectomy from patient’s perspective

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain and satisfaction of patients who underwent total laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynecologic conditions. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized trial. A visual analogue scale and patient satisfaction score scale were used to evaluate the patients’ postoperative satisfaction rates. Seventy-one patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy were compared with 68 patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications. Results: The groups were similar with respect to age, race, gravidity and parity status, and uterine weight. Hospital stay; need for analgesic use; visual analogue scale pain scores at 12, 24, and 36 hours; patient satisfaction scores at 24 and 48 hours and one week; and blood loss were statistically lower in the laparoscopic hysterectomy group than in the abdominal hysterectomy group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Laparoscopic hysterectomy was superior to abdominal hysterectomy in terms of short-term followup, postoperative pain, and satisfaction with the operation scar.