[Vaginal hysterectomy in non-prolapsed uterus]

To describe the results of vaginal removal of the non-prolapsed uterus in women conventionally operated on abdominally or with the assistance of laparoscopy.

At the departments of gynaecology, Herning Central Hospital and Holstebro Central Hospital, approximately one third of all hysterectomies are performed vaginally. All records of women, who had had a vaginal hysterectomy on a non-prolapsed uterus over a nineteen-month period, were reviewed retrospectively. Women, who had additional surgery, were excluded.

One-hundred and thirteen patients entered. In one patient (1%) the vaginal hysterectomy was converted to an abdominal one. One fourth of the women had a uterus weighing more than 200 grams. The median operation time was 58 minutes; 73% bled less than 200 ml. Half of the women were discharged from hospital on the third postoperative day or earlier; 90% on the fifth postoperative day or earlier. During operation three accidental bladder lesions occurred, and four women needed an additional haemostatic operation. Postoperatively, 10 women (9%) suffered from a haematoma or an abscess in the vaginal vault.

Vaginal hysterectomy on the non-prolapsed uterus is an operation that should be offered to a large group of women, who today are operated on abdominally or with laparoscopic assistance. The operation is quick and the patients are discharged after a few days. No advanced equipment is needed. Some women will, however, suffer from a haematoma in the vaginal vault.