[Vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy: comparison and perspectives. Apropos of 385 consecutive cases]

Hysterectomy is the most common non-pregnancy related surgical procedure. However, given the lack of final guidelines on indications, alternative therapies, surgical approach and outcomes, it is desirable to keep its use under constant monitoring. We reviewed 385 hysterectomies for benign conditions-divided according to surgical approach-performed in the Gynaecological Department of San Daniele del Friuli (Udine-Italy) in 1991-1993, and with one-year follow-up. Traditional approaches, i.e. abdominal (39.2%) and vaginal (60.2%), were used. Colporraphy was performed in 79 cases (33.8% of vaginal hysterectomies); 73.4% of colporraphies were followed by urethral suspension. We reviewed population's patterns, indications and surgical outcomes according to Dicker's suggestions. Vaginal hysterectomy with associated colporraphy concerned a population of patients with average age and parity significantly different from patients who underwent simple vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. These last two groups, on the other hand, have similar characteristics making them comparable. In abdominal hysterectomy and simple vaginal hysterectomy we reported a complication rate respectively of 21.9% and 7.1%. The advantages of simple vaginal hysterectomy include shorter operating time, reduction in antibiotic drugs usage, earlier hospital discharge and quicker recovery, with obvious cost saving. Our experience therefore supports the view that the balance between abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy could safely be shifted in favour of the last one, the advantages of which could then be made available to a larger number of patients.