SMALL-BOWEL HERNIATION AFTER LAPAROSCOPICALLY ASSISTED VAGINAL HYSTERECTOMY

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies have been done with i ncreasing frequency in the United States. To date, minimal complicatio ns have been noted with this procedure. The authors review a series of 90 individuals and note a three percent small bowel obstruction rate. This complication is more common in this group of patients than in pa tients having a standard abdominal hysterectomy. Since this operation has been commonly performed, it is often possible to convert an abdomi nal hysterectomy to a vaginal approach, this increase in complications is exceedingly high. The authors recommend closure of lateral abdomin al wall port sites under direct laparoscopic visualization to prevent this serious complication.