VAGINAL APPENDECTOMY AT LAPAROSCOPIC-ASSISTED VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY - A SURGICAL OPTION

This report demonstrates the use of the laparoscope as a means of sele cting and facilitating cases of incidental appendectomy by the vaginal route in 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hystere ctomy. The procedure was performed successfully in all cases, required an average of 12 min additional of operating time, and was not accomp anied by intraoperative or postoperative complications. Our preliminar y experience suggests that in selected cases, laparoscopic-assisted tr ansvaginal appendectomy is a simple, cost-effective alternative to lap aroscopic appendectomy.