More postop QOL with laparoscopic vs. abdominal hysterectomy

A recent randomized, controlled trial concludes that all women requiring a total hysterectomy for benign disease in whom the vaginal approach is inappropriate should have the chance to choose laparoscopy over the abdominal method because it leaves women feeling more "vital" postoperatively.

Researchers from the Netherlands reviewed the Rand-36 survey responses of women queried preoperatively as well as at five time points in the first 12 weeks after hysterectomy. They found that at all time points the women in the laparoscopy group had less fatigue and loss of energy and reported better physical functioning and less bodily pain than the women in the abdominal group. They also had shorter hospital stays.

The downside is that the procedure performed laparoscopically takes longer and comes with an increased risk of urinary tract injury.