Publication:

African experiences of laparoscopic hysterectomy about a continuous series of 52 cases by the same practitioner: indications, surgical procedures and complications

Background Laparoscopy is a modern surgical technique that began in 1940 with Raoul Palmer. The present study aimed to analyse the results of a fifty-two-laparoscopic hysterectomy performed.

Methods A prospective study over a period of seven years from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015. A total of 52 patients who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy were recruited at the teaching hospital of Yopougon-Abidjan.

Results The mean age was 50.2 years (±3.9 years) (36-62 years). The average parity was 3. Few patients had undergone anterior pelvic surgery for either myomectomy or caesarean section. Uterine fibroid was the major surgical indication with a rate of 61.54%. The average size of the uterus was 12 cm (8-18 cm). Total hysterectomies type II and III with or without adnexectomy were essentially performed with rates of 28.85% and 32.69%, respectively. Sometimes it was associated with a lymphadenectomy or a colpo-suspension. The average length of a hysterectomy is 170 minutes (87-385 minutes). Four cases of laparo-conversions have been noted. Blood loss was approximately 95 ml (±12 ml) with a maximum of 300 ml. The complications were mainly two digestive wounds and a bladder fistula. The average length of hospital stay is three days apart from any complication.

Conclusions The laparoscopic approach is less painful, is associated with less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, fewer complications, and better care. A training period of surgeons associated with the equipment of the health structures is necessary to popularize this procedure surgical.