Reducing costs of laparoscopic hysterectomy

Study Objective. To establish the role of laparoscopic hysterectomy using r euseable surgical equipment. Design. Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classificatio n 11-2). Setting. Tertiary major teaching hospital. Patients. Fifty consecutive women carefully selected for laparoscopic hyste rectomy. interventions. The ultrasonically activated (harmonic) scalpel was used for coagulative cutting of pedicles and ligaments attached to the ute rus and adnexa, backed by bipolar diathermy No nonabsorbable material uas l eft in the pelvis at the conclusion of the procedures. Measurements and Main Results. Patient characteristics, uterine weight, his tology, operating time, recovery, analgesic requirements, and hospital stay were recorded. Complications were noted and critically assessed for con st ructive quality assurance appraisal. Outcomes were satisfactory according t o both patients and gynecologists. Conclusion. This pilot study suggests that the method is an efficacious, co st-effective, and well-controlled technique of laparoscopic hysterectomy.