AN OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMY USING A RETROPERITONEAL APPROACH

The technique used for abdominal hysterectomy does not lend itself wel l to a laparoscopic approach because vital structures will be difficul t to visualize and retroperitoneal spaces difficult to open. An entire ly different approach is required. An operative technique for laparosc opic hysterectomy is based on a systematic dissection of the retroperi toneum in a very precise sequence of operative steps. It provides comp lete control of the operative field and allows visualization of all im portant retroperitoneal structures. The technique is simple to learn, and requires no special surgical skills beyond what is necessary for r outine laparoscopic gynecologic procedures.