Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy: American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists' 1995 Membership Survey

Abstract A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the AAGL to determine the current performance of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and to assess the relative frequencies of techniques and complications. Answers of the 1092 members who responded were entered into a database computer program and analyzed. The analysis revealed 14,911 LAVHs performed by 767 members. Complication rates appeared to be in the same range as those reported for vaginal hysterectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy. Inferior epigastric injury was the most common complication. Physicians showed a shift in their practices away from abdominal hysterectomy after they learned LAVH.