Vaginal hysterectomy and multimodal anaesthesia with bipolar vessel sailing (Biclamp^® forceps) versus conventional suture technique: quality results’ analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The medical and economic benefits of the transvaginal approach over the abdominal and laparoscopic methods are demonstrated in many studies. Vaginal hysterectomy with bipolar vessel sailing (BiClamp^®) represents an example of mininvasive surgery and could be a valid and cost-benefit alternative in the surgical treatment of benign gynaecologic disease. BiClamp^® may be carried out according to Clavè’s technique with a good result in postoperative pain.

Methods

Prospective randomized study (Canadian Task Force classification I). We compared the vaginal hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomies with BiClamp^® and multimodal anaesthesia (group A 30 patients) with vaginal hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomies and spinal anaesthesia (group B 30 patients).

Results

The median operating time was 33.5 min for group A and 54.5 min for group B (p < 0.0001). The median blood loss was 59.25 ml in group A and 81.75 ml in group B. The median hospital stay was 1.6 ± 0.58 days for group A and 2.55 ± 0.66 days for group B. Postoperative pain was statistically different between groups in the immediate postoperatory times, at 2 and at 6 h from the surgery and at 10 p.m. (p < 0.0001). Analyses of cost-effectiveness have stated advantages in terms of costs and indirect–direct benefits but also in earlier resumption of working.

Conclusions

BiClamp^® technique with multimodal anaesthesia has advantages from surgical, anaesthesiology and economic point of view. It is a minimally invasive surgery characterised by lower morbidity, quicker surgery times and reduced costs when compared to classical vaginal hysterectomy. BiClamp^® technique represents a new border in vaginal surgery.