ObjectiveTo complete a systematic review of the published literature comparing complications, postoperative recovery time, and costs following laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy(TAH), and vaginal hysterectomy.Data SourcesWe searched MEDLINE and several bibiliographies, identifying all reports using the term “laparoscopy-assisted hysterectomy” published from 1989 to september 1995.Methods of study selectionWe excluded case reports, letters, and reports of laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy procedures used for radical cancer surgery, sex-change operations, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, or supracervical hysterectomy.Tabulation, Integration, and ResultsCases identified included 3112 laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomies, 1618 TAHs, and 690 vaginal hysterectomies. Laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy cases compared with TAH cases demonstrated significantly greater incidence of blader injury (1.8% for laporoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy versus 0.4% for TAH;P= .01), significantly longer operating room time (115 minutes, standard deviation [SD] 37 minutes, for laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy versus 87 minutes, SD 18 minutes, for TAH;P< .001), and significantly shorter hospitalization (49 hours, SD 16 hours, for laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy versus 79 hours, SD 20 hours, for TAH;P< .001). Use of analysis was consistenly less for laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and return to full activity was always sooner when compared to TAH. Cost for the new procedure was higher in seven out of 11 studies, but when disposable instruments and hospital length of stay are considered, the remaining vaginal hysterectomy.ConclusionAlthough laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy involves a shorter hospital stay, speedier postoperative recovery, and less analgesia use, there is also a higher rate of bladder injury and lenghier surgery. These outcomes must be weighed when choosing an intervention.