[Outpatient vaginal hysterectomy, feasibility and morbidity: an observational study on thirty patients]

Outpatient surgery is nowadays a major evolution axis of the surgery in France. Outpatient vaginal hysterectomy is possible with the use of electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing allowing the reduction of operative time and postoperative pain. Our aim was to study the feasibility and morbidity of outpatient vaginal hysterectomy by assessment of postoperative pain and satisfaction.

Thirty patients were enrolled in this observational study. All patients underwent an outpatient vaginal hysterectomy with a standardized operative technic. Pain was evaluated by administering a 10 cm visual analogic scale (VAS) at the first and second postoperative days. The total duration of analgesic treatment was noticed. Patient's satisfaction was recorded at the postoperative visit one month after the intervention and by a telephonic interview.

The mean operative time was 59.3 (25-110) minutes and the mean uterine weight was 170.2 (60-710) grams. No intraoperative complications were reported. Among the thirty patients, 3 (10%) were not discharged the same day. At the first and second postoperative days, the VAS was 4.40 and 4.35 respectively. The mean total duration of analgesic's use was 5 days (3-8 days). Patients were very satisfied of medical care in 36.7% of cases (11/30), satisfied in 53.3% (16/30) and not much satisfied in 10% (3/30). In total, 83.3% (25/30) have agreed to repeat the procedure in the ambulatory sector.

Outpatient vaginal hysterectomy seems to be a possible and a safe technique with a high patient's satisfaction in France at the present time.