Vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomies are recommended
Annually around 600,000 hysterectomies are performed for the treatment of benign disorders of the Pelvis in the United States. More than two-thirds are performed through an abdominal incision. The finding was published in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, the AAGL.
A consortium of over 5,000 gynecologic surgeons encourages the practice of performing these procedures laparoscopically or vaginally in the least invasive way. This allows reducing depression and enhances speedy recovery.
"When procedures are required to treat gynecologic disorders, the AAGL is committed to the principles of informed patient choice and provision of minimally invasive options," commented Franklin D. Loffer, MD, Executive Vice President/Medical Director of the AAGL.
"When hysterectomy is necessary, they demonstrated safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of VH and LH mandate that they be the procedures of choice. When hysterectomy is performed without a laparotomy, early institutional discharge is feasible and safe, in many cases within the first 24 hours."
Laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and vaginal hysterectomy (VH) involve low surgical risks and they can be performed as an outpatient procedure with a minimal stay at hospital. Whereas, Abdominal hysterectomy (AH) requires a large abdominal incision and chances of post-operative recovery is linked with a number of disadvantages like abdominal wound infections with an increased stay at the hospital. This delays normal life activities.
He also added that, "It is the position of the AAGL that most hysterectomies for benign disease should be performed either vaginally or laparoscopically and that continued efforts should be taken to facilitate these approaches.
Surgeons without the requisite training and skills required for the safe performance of VH or LH should enlist the aid of colleagues who do or should refer patients requiring hysterectomy to such individuals for their surgical care."