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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists endorse vaginal hysterectomy for benign indications, yet relatively few U.S. hysterectomies are performed vaginally. As laparoscopic and robotic procedures become more common, the proportion of open abdominal hysterectomies will continue to decrease. Now, a skilled surgeon practicing in a community hospital near Seattle has reviewed the outcomes of the 1162 hysterectomies (1071 of which were vaginal) she performed from 2000 through 2010. Outpatient surgery was performed only after extensive counseling.
For vaginal hysterectomies, fully 96% of patients had same-day discharge. Of the 41 patients who were admitted, 25 lived on an i…