[Laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)--a comparison between vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy with...

First experiences after the introduction of LAVH with regard to intra- and postoperative parameters of quality in comparison with the classical abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies are shown. The main indications for LAVH were large myomas, previous pelvic surgery and adnexal mass. Intra- and postoperative complications, time of operation, uterine weight, estimated blood loss, the period of use of analgetics and discharge wishes of 40 patients after abdominal and 25 after vaginal hysterectomies were compared with the results of 30 patients after LAVH. Patients after abdominal hysterectomy need more and longer analgetics. The lowest perioperative morbidity we found in the LAVH group. In cases with enlarged uteri the high blood loss during the vaginal hysterectomy can be significantly reduced with LAVH. LAVH offers a new technique to convert a lot of abdominal hysterectomies with benign indications (large myomas, adhesions, adnexal mass) into vaginal hysterectomies.