Vaginal hysterectomy at jos university teaching hospital, jos, Nigeria

Hysterectomy could be performed through the abdomen, via the vagina, as an open procedure or laparoscopically. The debate on whether the uterus should be removed vaginally or abdominally was sparked off when Langenbeck first performed a successful vaginal hysterectomy in 1813. The superiority of the vaginal route was highlighted when women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy experienced significantly fewer complications when compared to the others who had abdominal hysterectomy.

To determine the prevalence of vaginal hysterectomy, common indications, and outcome.

A total number of 49 vaginal hysterectomies were performed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria between January 1998 and December 2007 were studied retrospectively.

The combined hysterectomy (abdominal & vaginal) rate comprised 25% of all major gynaecological operations in this centre during the study period; vaginal hysterectomy alone comprised 3% of all the major gynaecological operations. The commonest indication for vaginal hysterectomy was uterine prolapse in 37(83.%) patients. The complication rate was 22%, with no mortality.

Vaginal hysterectomy is safe and the complication few in experienced hands. Utero-vaginal prolapse was the commonest indication; public enlightenment to prevent prolapse would reduce the incidence and the need for repair.