Initial experience with laparoscopic‐assisted Doderlein hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of a modified laparoscopic-assisted Doderlein hysterectomy. DEFINE: A prospective clinical study. SETTING: Women's Endoscopic Laser Foundation, South Cleveland Hospital, Middlesbrough, Cleveland. SUBJECTS: Twenty consecutive women with indications for hysterectomy and unsuitable for vaginal approach. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic-assisted Doderlein hysterectomy with modification to make the technique cost effective. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative time, uterine weight, blood loss, hospital stay, intra-operative complications and post-operative complications. RESULTS: The median operative time was 93 minutes, the uterine weight was 168 g, blood loss minimal. The median hospital stay was three days. There were no intra-operative complications and minimal post-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The modified laparoscopic-assisted Doderlein hysterectomy is a safe, rapid procedure which allows the patient to achieve all the benefits of laparoscopic surgery with simple and inexpensive laparoscopic and vaginal techniques.