[Vaginal hysterectomy:apropos of a series of 1008 interventions]

The aim of this study was to analyse our vaginal hysterectomies performed for prolapsed uterus and non prolapsed uterus with benign disease. For the latter indication, a comparison was made with abdominal hysterectomy.

From february 1986 to december 1998, 1008 vaginal hysterectomies were performed in our department: 219 for prolapsed uterus and 789 for non prolapsed uterus with benign disease. During the same time, 217 abdominal hysterectomies were performed for non prolapsed uterus with benign disease.

Intra-operative and post-operative complications had the same rates in the two groups. Owing to the low number of abdominal hysterectomies, we cannot draw a valuable conclusion. The study of the literature shows in this field an advantage for the vaginal hysterectomy; mean time hospitalization was shorter in the vaginal group.

Advantages of vaginal hysterectomy are multiple: aesthetic, shorter hospitalization, quicker recovery. The low rate of vaginal hysterectomy on non prolapsed uterus with non malignant disease is linked with the lack in training of surgeons for the vaginal approach. In these cases, a rate of 70% is a realistic one in a well trained hospital center.