Does conventional or single port laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy affect female sexual function?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of conventional and single port laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) on sexual function in premenopausal women.

Design: A prospective case-control study.

Setting: University teaching hospital. Population. A total of 95 premenopausal women having LAVH from January 2009 to December 2009.

Methods: Comparison of 47 premenopausal women who had single port LAVH using trans-umbilical GelPort access (SP-LAVH group) and 48 premenopausal women who had conventional multiport LAVH (conventional LAVH group).

Main outcome measures: Evaluation of sexual function was done prior to and six months after surgery using a validated tool, the female sexual function index (FSFI).

Results: In terms of women's demographic characteristics and operative results, there was no significant difference between the two study groups, or between pre- and postoperative individual domain scores or total female sexual function index in women who underwent either conventional or single port LAVH.

Conclusions: Neither conventional nor single port LAVH affects sexual function in premenopausal women. Women can be counseled that this type of surgery is unlikely to alter sexual function.