Convalescence after laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

Abstract

Objective To compare convalescence in women following laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and following total abdominal hysterectomy. Design A prospective comparative study. Subjects 72 women who underwent hysterectomy. Main outcome measure Physical functioning score according to the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire at, 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively. Results The physical functioning scores were similar, both preoperatively and at 1 week after the operation, in women who had laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 35) and in those who had conventional total abdominal hysterectomy (n = 37). However 6 weeks after operation, women who had undergone laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy had significantly higher physical functioning scores (26, range 19–30 vs. 22, range 14–30; P = 0.041), and significantly less reduction in physical functioning score relative to baseline than the conventional hysterectomy group (3% vs 13%; P = 0.031). Conclusion Women appear to recover more quickly after laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy than after total abdominal hysterectomy.