[Contribution of celioscopic surgery to vaginal surgery. 18 cases]

Vaginal hysterectomy is better for patients because they have to stay in hospital for a shorter period of time and they are less likely to have thromboembolic complications, than if the hysterectomy is carried out abdominally. If laparoscopic surgery is carried out before the hysterectomy when the indications for vaginal operation are poor, more patients can be operated on vaginally with higher security and the procedures were made easier. We report 18 cases of laparoscopic operation preceding vaginal hysterectomy and these were considered because of previous laparotomies, or previous inflammatory conditions of the tubes. In 14 out of 18 cases it was possible to remove the uterus vaginally after carrying out laparoscopic procedures which made the operation much safer. There were no complications. The principal trouble with this technique is the length of time it takes because the laparoscopic procedures can be very difficult.