Comparison of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Morbidity for Gynecologic, Oncologic, and Benign Gynecologic Conditions

OBJECTIVES: We compared the perioperative morbidity of laparoscopic hysterectomy for gynecologic oncologic (group A) and benign gynecologic (group B) indications at a single institution. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 159 consecutive cases of laparoscopic hysterectomy at a tertiary care university hospital. It includes 74 women with gynecologic cancers and 85 women with benign gynecologic conditions. RESULTS: Patients in group A were significantly older and had higher body mass index (P≤0.001). The differences in mean blood loss (A, 201.1 mL; B, 183.6 mL, P=0.504), conversion to laparotomy (2 for each group), and wound infection (none) were not significant in the 2 groups. The mean operating time (253.2 and 188.2 minutes, P<0.001) and the mean length of hospital stay (3.5 days and 2.5 days, P<0.001) were significantly longer in group A. Transfusion was required for 2 patients in group A and 4 in group B. One intraoperative injury to the bladder occurred in group A. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of older age and longer operative time in cancer patients, there was no difference in perioperative complications associated with laparoscopic hysterectomy for gynecologic malignancies compared with benign gynecologic conditions.