Objectives: To compare the outcomes of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and vaginal hysterectomy (VH) in a community teaching hospital.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of all women who underwent TLH and VH at North York General Hospital between January 2002 and December 2004 was conducted. Groups were compared with respect to demographic data, and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.
Results: One hundred nine women underwent TLH, and 43 women underwent VH. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the mean age of patients, estimated blood loss, or mean postoperative hemoglobin change. TLH took significantly longer to perform (104.4 vs. 54.4 minutes, P < 0.001); however, the mean postoperative duration of hospital stay was greater in the VH group (2.2 vs. 1.2 days, P < 0.001). Mean uterine mass was significantly greater in the TLH group (290.9 vs. 151.6 g, P < 0. 001). The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was slightly higher in the TLH group than in the VH group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions: TLH was associated with significantly longer operative time and shorter hospital stay than VH. There was a trend towards more intraoperative and postoperative complications in the TLH group than in the VH group.