We proudly announce the successful completion of the first total laparoscopic hysterectomy at Meenakshiamma memorial hospital, Payyanur, Kerala. The patient came to us with complaints of a mass protruding from vagina and heavy menstrual bleeding. On examination there was an elongated uterus (the cervix was elongated and protruding below the vagina).The uterus was enlarged to a size as big as that of a 16 weeks pregnant lady. We performed a total laparoscopic hysterectomy with right ovariectomy with B/L salpingectomy on her.

Now , what did we do different in her ? We did the whole surgery laparoscopically , ie , through just 3 key holes(5mm). Even the vault was sutured laparoscopically. There was no surgical manipulation from vaginal end. So what advantages does this offer the patient? The whole surgery was completed without any stitches (except a single stitch at the vault) which means there won’t be any kind of perioperative pain following surgery. The chances of infection are near zero. This requires just a single night stay at the hospital. The patient got discharged from the hospital the very next day following surgery. She joined her regular work after one day. Use of laparoscopy also powers you to remove the fallopian tubes without damaging the ovaries. This prevents any risk of ovarian cancer in the future.

How does this make it any different from other laparoscopic hysterectomies? So far the surgeons around have been performing vaginal , abdominal or laparoscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy(LAVH). LAVH means laparoscopy is used to help you perform a vaginal hysterectomy. Here as many as forty (40) stitches are used to complete the surgery. In this the patient may experience post operative pain, needs rest just like any other surgery.

In a nutshell , every patient should enjoy the benefit of laparoscopic surgery, the advantages being complete absence of pain following surgery, single night hospital stay, allows you to join routine work immediately, prevents any risk of ovarian cancer in future (as fallopian tubes are removed)