Comparative study of intra and post-operative complications between total abdominal hysterectomy and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy

Abstract

Background: Vaginal hysterectomy is preferable due to faster recovery, decreased morbidity and absence of an abdominal incision. The aim was to compare the risks and complications of laparoscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy in terms of intra-operative and post-operative complications.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Gynaecology ward at Vinakaya Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Medical College and Hospitals, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. The data for the past 1-year record was taken for analysis. A total of 80 subjects were included in the study and were divided into two groups with 40 patients under TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy) group and 40 under LAVH (Laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy) group. The primary outcome of the present analysis was incidence of perioperative complications like blood loss and the secondary outcomes were operating time, blood loss, urinary tract injury, rate of conversion to laparotomy, postoperative pain, and length of postoperative stay.Results: The mean intra-operative blood loss was measured among both the groups and it was found to be very high among TAH group (201 ml) compared to LAVH group (149.8 ml) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). Similarly, the duration of operative procedure was found to be less in LAVH group (57.9 mins) compared to TAH group (72.6 mins) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). Post-operative wound infection (14 vs 0) was found to be more among the patients in TAH group than that of the LAVH group and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p <0.05).Conclusions: LAVH is a safe and effective surgical treatment for benign gynaecological diseases and should be offered whenever possible, taking into account the low rate of complications and cost-effectiveness.