Comparison of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Morbidity for Gynecologic, Oncologic, and Benign Gynecologic Conditions

OBJECTIVES We compared the perioperative morbidity of laparoscopic hysterectomy for gynecologic oncologic (group A) and benign gynecologic (group B) indications at a single institution. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive cases of laparoscopic hysterectomy at a tertiary care university hospital. It includes 74 women with gynecologic cancers and 85 women with benign gynecologic conditions. RESULTS Patients in group A were significantly older and had higher body mass index (P < or = 0.001). The differences in mean blood loss (A, 201.1 mL; B, 183.6 mL, P=0.504), conversion to laparotomy (2 for each group), and wound infection (none) were not significant in the 2 groups. The mean operating time (253.2 and 188.2 minutes, P<0.001) and the mean length of hospital stay (3.5 days and 2.5 days, P<0.001) were significantly longer in group A. Transfusion was required for 2 patients in group A and 4 in group B. One intraoperative injury to the bladder occurred in group A. CONCLUSIONS In spite of older age and longer operative time in cancer patients, there was no difference in perioperative complications associated with laparoscopic hysterectomy for gynecologic malignancies compared with benign gynecologic conditions.