A novel approach to minimally invasive hysterectomy without the use of a uterine manipulator: Kamran’s TLH

Abstract

Background Hysterectomy remains one of the most common major gynaecological procedures, with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) now established as the technique of choice over conventional open approaches. This approach depends on the use of a uterine manipulator to facilitate uterine retraction and colpotomy. This study describes a novel approach in performing total laparoscopic hysterectomy without the use of uterine manipulator or vaginal tubes and reports the intra- and postoperative outcome of this technique. Methods A single-centre retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TLH without uterine manipulator or vaginal tube “Kamran’s TLH” for benign conditions was performed from January 2017 to October 2019. Data collected included patients’ demographics, intraoperative finding and postoperative course. Results A total of eighty-six hysterectomies were performed utilizing the Kamran’s TLH (KTLH) approach. Mean age was 52.2 (± 11) years old and BMI was 28.2 (± 7). TLH with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in 63 (73.3%) patients and TLH with preservation of ovaries in 23 (26.7%) patients. Mean operative time was 64.7 (± 27.9) min and estimated bloods loss was 46.2 (± 54.6) ml. No intraoperative complications were recorded and there was no conversion to open surgery. Only one patient required readmission and surgery for vaginal vault dehiscence during their postoperative course. Conclusion Uterine manipulator is a key component in performing laparoscopic hysterectomy. However, our approach demonstrated that TLH can be safely performed without the use of any uterine or vaginal manipulation.