RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare the use of bipolar vessel sealing system (BVSS) with conventional suture ligature in vaginal hysterectomy (VH) on a non-prolapsed uterus. STUDY DESIGN: Women referred for VH for uterine myoma were randomized to BVSS (n=45) or conventional suture ligature VH (n=45). Exclusion criteria were uterine prolapse and indication associated surgical procedures. Main outcome measures were operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pain status, peri and post-operative complications. Data of patients were collected prospectively. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Student's t-test as appropriate. RESULTS: There were no differences in patients' mean age, parity and uterine size between groups. Patients in the BVSS group had a significantly reduced operating time (29.2+/-2.1 min vs. 75.2+/-5 min; p<0.001), operative blood loss (84+/-5.9 mL vs. 136.4+/-89.1 mL; p=0.001), requirement of surgical sutures (1.2+/-0.6 units vs. 7.4+/-0.3 units; p<0.001), pain status (1.6+/-0.4 vs. 3.6+/-0.4; p<0.001) and hospital stay (25.6+/-0.9h vs. 33.2+/-1.7h; p<0.001) compared to the control group. The overall complication rate in the study was 7.8% (7/90), and did not differ between patients of the BVSS and control group. CONCLUSION: Bipolar vessel sealing for vaginal hysterectomy appears to be an effective and safe haemostatic control method, with reduced operating time, peri-operative blood losses, post-operative pain and hospital stay.
