Objective: To assess the advantage, indications, surgical management and the clinical value of transvaginal hysterectomy in patients without uterine prolapse.
Methods: From Oct. 1995 to Nov. 1998, 50 women undergone transvaginal hysterectomy for various benign gynecological lesions were consecutively included in this study. Their mean age was 45 years (range 36-50). There were 10 patients (20%) with normal uterine size, and 16 (32%) with uteri of > 12 gestational weeksize (range 14-16 weeks) and the remaining 24(48%) < or = 12 weeksize. 11 patients (22%) underwent salpingo-oophorectomy simultaneously, 6 patients (12%) had previous laparotomy.
Results: The mean operating time was 63 min with a range 40-110 min. Post-operative hospital stay averaged 4 days (range 2-8 days). The amount of blood loss during operation ranged 50-100 ml. The only postoperative complication was small residue hematoma in 1 case and cured with conservative treatment.
Conclusions: Transvaginal hysterectomy was associated with remarkable advantages: shorter operating time and hospital stay, fewer complication, less discomfort, quicker recovery and less expenses. Enlarged uterus to a size of > 12 gestational weeks; benign adnexal mass or previous operation should no longer be considered as contraindication of transvaginal hysterectomy.