Can Vasopressin Decrease the Blood Loss in Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy? A Randomized Study

Background: To investigate whether vasopressin used during laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy could decrease blood loss without increasing complications. Methods: Eighty-three patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) were randomly divided into 2 groups. Each group received type II laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The first group (n=42) received submucosal vasopressin (5 units in 40 ml normal saline) injection circumferentially around the cervix. The second group (n=41) received submucosal 40 ml normal saline injection by the same condition. Results: The 2 groups were very similar with regard to their demographics, preoperative diagnosis, and relevant findings at surgery. The blood loss in the vasopressin and control groups were 245±124 mL and 257±110 mL (mean±SD) respectively. The mean postoperative decrease of hemoglobin/hematocrit in the vasopressin group (1.1±0.8mg/dL/3.9±2.7%) and control group (1.4±1.3mg/dL/5.3±3.2%) are not different statistically. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to possible confounding variables or surgical complications. Conclusions: Injection of vasopressin at the time of laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy does not significantly reduce blood loss.