Objective:

Abdominal hysterectomy is the most frequently practiced type of operation by gynecologists. The techniques applied for this type of operation are intrafacial, extrafacial and supracervical technique. In GATA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the intrafacial technique that Richardson defined and modified is often used. As the new hysterectomy technique we have applied extracorporeal abdominal hysterectomy. The extracorporeal technique provides advantages such as leaving little incision scar , taking less operation time, causing less blood loss, early mobilization and discharge from hospital facilities and better operation visualization.

Materials and Methods:

Between March 1997 and December 2000 due to benign conditions (uterine leiomyoma, abnormal uterine bleeding, intractable bleeding) 126 patients were operated with Richardson's modified intrafacial technique while 112 patients were operated with the extra corporeal abdominal technique. Current hysterectomy techniques, average operation time, average blood loss, average uterus weight, hospitalization period, temperature and infection were compared in terms of tromboembolic illness. The findings were evaluated with two-tailed student test and chi square test.

Results:

As a result of extracorporeal abdominal hysterectomy there formed a smaller incision scar (p<0.01). The average operation time was shorter (p<0.01). The average blood loss was less (p<0.01) and hospitalization period was shorter (p<0.01). Furthermore less urinary infection was found (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

Extracorporeal abdominal hysterectomy provides smaller incision scar, shorter operation time, better operation visualization, and less postoperative complication rate compared to modified Richardson method. Due to the above mentioned reasons, we suggest abdominal hysterectomy as a new operation technique.

Keywords: Abdominal Hysterectomy, Surgical Technique, Operation Time, Postoperative Complications