Laparoscopic management of bleeding after laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy

To assess the results and contributions of laparoscopy in the management of postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic (LH) or vaginal hysterectomy (VH).

A retrospective study of a 5-year period was carried out on 1167 women who underwent laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy. Ten women with postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy were identified.

The overall incidence of bleeding after laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy was 0.85% (10 of 1167). Over the 5-year study period, the incidence fluctuated between 1.1% and 0.4%. Surgical revision was primarily vaginal in 1 woman, followed by laparoscopic control. In 6 patients, laparoscopy was performed immediately. The patients profited from the prompt laparoscopic treatment, because intraabdominal hemorrhage was found and stopped. Of 6 cases of intraperitoneal bleeding, 1 resulted from a blood disorder. The collagen-fibrin agent TachoComb was applied locally, and the patient was postoperatively treated with blood products and coagulation factors. Only bipolar coagulation, TachoComb, and Foley catheter were used to achieve local hemostasis during laparoscopy. The remaining 3 cases where the vaginal cuff was bleeding were managed by vaginal repair and packing without laparoscopy.

The laparoscopic approach to postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy is an attractive alternative to the abdominal surgical approach. Bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy can be managed by laparoscopy in the majority of patients. Because the abdominal incision is avoided, the recovery time is reduced.