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Biomedical subjects

H O'Connor

Publications and source records attributed to H O'Connor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Augmentation mammoplasty and "silicone-osis".

BACKGROUND: Claims have been made that breast augmentation induces a previously unrecognized disease ("silicone-osis"). AIMS: To confirm the existence of "silicone-osis", qualify and quantify its characteristics. METHODS: In this population-based retrospective cohort study, the health status of 458 female Sydney residents who had augmentation mammoplasty for cosmetic reasons ("augmentation mammoplasty-exposed" or "exposed" cohort) between 1979 and 1983 was compared with the health status of 687 female Sydney residents who had non-silicone-associated plastic surgery ("augmentation mammoplasty-nonexposed" or "non-exposed" cohort). Both groups were matched for age (+/- 5 years), year of plastic surgery (+/- 2 years), plastic surgeon, anaesthetist and mode of anaesthesia. Outcome measures comprised dummy symptoms to assess reporting bias, as well as symptoms and symptom clusters from a comprehensive 78-symptom list. RESULTS: Dummy variables were not over-reported by the exposed cohort. The following individual symptoms developed more commonly in the exposed cohort after index plastic surgery: "memory loss/confusion", "altered bowel habit", "chest pain made worse by deep breathing", "shortness of breath after walking up 10 steps", "breast pain", "sweating mainly at night" and "tunnel vision". Of eight identified symptom clusters, three were rejected as biologically unimportant: "joint swelling of the bunion joint", "haemorrhoids" and "breast lumps" (the latter two occurring more commonly in the non-exposed cohort). In contrast, five symptom clusters were thought to have potential biological importance and occurred more commonly in the exposed cohort. The symptom "night sweats" was common to all five clusters, and comprised the sole symptom in one instance. The other four multisymptom clusters were also characterized by "low energy" (lethargy) and "pins and needles", whereas "breast pain", "impaired memory", "muscle pain" and "reflux", occurred in three of the four clusters. CONCLUSION: Cluster analysis suggested the existence of a multisystem disorder occurring more commonly in the exposed cohort and characterized by night sweats, lethargy, breast pain, impaired mentation, reflux, paraesthesiae, hand muscle weakness and myalgia. The argument against this being a new disease entity --"silicone-osis"-- however, was its presence, albeit at lower frequency, in the silicone-unexposed cohort. Thus this study did not confirm the existence of a new disease entity "silicone-osis" uniquely and causally associated with silicone exposure. The possible interpretations of these findings are discussed.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Women's health after plastic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Allegations that exposure to endogenous silicone, especially related to breast implants, might be causally related to connective tissue disease originated from case studies. More recent comparative studies have implied no such increased risk. The aims of the present study were to compare the prevalence and/or incidence of autoimmune and connective tissue disorders in a population-based cohort of female Sydney residents stratified by augmentation mammoplasty status. METHODS: In this population-based retrospective cohort study, the health status of female Sydney residents who had augmentation mammoplasty for cosmetic reasons between 1979 and 1983 was compared with that of female Sydney residents who had non-silicone-associated plastic surgery over the same period. Both groups were matched for age (+/- 5 years), year of plastic surgery (+/- 2 years), plastic surgeon, anaesthetist and mode of anaesthesia. Outcome measures comprised rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, sicca symptoms polymyositis/ dermatomyositis, connective tissue disease overlap, digital vasospasm, abnormal nailfold capillaroscopy, elevated antinuclear antibody titre, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, livedo reticularis, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, axillary lymphadenopathy, fibromyalgia and breast carcinoma. RESULTS: There was no difference in the occurrence of connective tissue diseases or connective tissue disease-related parameters, thyroid disorders, fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis between cohorts. However, axillary adenopathy and low titre positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) occurred with a significantly greater frequency in the exposed cohort (odds ratio (OR) = 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.10-5.84 and OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.03-1.62, respectively). Axillary adenopathy correlated with capsular contracture (relative risk (RR) = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.22-3.51) and also the self-reported development of digital vasospasm (RR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.46-7.03) after breast augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between augmentation mammoplasty exposure and various connective tissue diseases and/or their related features. However, axillary adenopathy and low titre ANA were detected more frequently in the exposed cohort. Women with axillary adenopathy were more likely to have breast capsular contracture and report digital vasospasm post-dating surgery. Given comparable frequencies of higher titre ANA of both cohorts, the finding of elevations of low titre ANA is of dubious clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Male systemic sclerosis and occupational silica exposure-a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The continuing uncertainty about the silica-systemic sclerosis relationship led to the investigation of its role as a disease determinant in a large population-based study of systemic sclerosis. AIMS: To compare the frequency, socioeconomic and educational status, age-specific prevalence and duration of occupational silica exposure in males with and without systemic sclerosis. To assess the temporal relationship between exposure and disease onset. To estimate disease latency. To compare disease characteristics between silica-exposed and non-silica-exposed male cases. METHODS: The study was case-control in design. The exposure variable was occupational silica exposure as assessed by an occupational health officer blinded to case/control status and the outcome variable was systemic sclerosis. The employed instrument comprised either a standardised telephone questionnaire (interviewed cases and controls) or medical records (deceased or living-status-unknown cases). RESULTS: Sixty of 160 cases (37.5%) and 11 of 83 (13.3%) controls had occupational silica exposure (OR=3.93; 1.84-8.54). Comparison of data between 64 interviewed cases and all controls demonstrated initial occupational silica exposure occurring before age 40, comparable educational status but significantly different cumulative socioeconomic status with cases being over-represented in semi-skilled and unskilled occupations. Cross-sectional 'current' occupational data underestimated cumulative silica exposure by more than 50%. Silica exposure uniformly preceded onset of second disease symptoms and disease diagnosis. In most, it also preceded onset of first disease symptoms. Disease latency approximated two decades. No disease features distinguished silica-associated systemic sclerosis from idiopathic systemic sclerosis. The duration of silica exposure in the interviewed silica-exposed cases did not significantly exceed that of silica-exposed controls. CONCLUSIONS: Male systemic sclerosis displays socioeconomic dependence. Silica is a disease determinant in male systemic sclerosis, with disease features including a long latency and clinical characteristics indistinguishable from idiopathic disease. Cross-sectional 'current' occupational data underestimate cumulative occupational silica exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Successful use of recombinant VIIa (Novoseven) and endometrial ablation in a patient with intractable menorrhagia secondary to FVII deficiency.

Menorrhagia is a well-recognized complication of inherited bleeding disorders. In the past, the only viable option for women who were unresponsive to medical therapy was hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation has been recently developed as an alternative therapy for these patients and is associated with decreased morbidity. We report the successful use of activated recombinant factor VII (FVIIa) and endometrial ablation in the treatment of excessive menstrual blood loss in a 34-year-old women with severe factor VII (FVII) deficiency. Recombinant FVIIa (40 microg/kg) was administered pre-operatively and every 6 h (20 microg/kg) for 24 h postoperatively. The procedure was uncomplicated with a 200 ml surgical blood loss. FVIIa was used because it allowed FVII replacement with a recombinant product and also has the ability to bind to tissue factor expressed at the site of vascular injury, resulting in site-specific thrombin generation. We believe that endometrial ablation with recombinant VIIa should be considered in patients with severe FVII deficiency and menorrhagia unresponsive to medical therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Familial risk estimation in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Familial systemic sclerosis has been rarely reported. Assumptions have therefore been made implying no familial disease aggregation. This study critically challenges the assumption using a methodical population-based epidemiological approach to quantify the prevalence and characteristics of familial systemic sclerosis. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study the systemic sclerosis prevalence in first degree family members was compared between 715 systemic sclerosis patients (710 families) and 371 randomly ascertained age and gender group-matched general practice controls (371 families). These data, obtained by telephone questionnaire (living patients) or medical records review (deceased patients and untraceable patients of unknown living status), were validated, where necessary, and expressed in terms of relative risk, absolute risk and population point prevalence. RESULTS: Systemic sclerosis affecting first degree members was validated in ten of 710 families. Reporting of systemic disease in another four more distant family members, and the co-occurrence of systemic and localised disease in three families was also documented. Observed and expected disease subtype concordance was 80% (44-97%) and 68% respectively and the female predominance among familial cases was similar to that for non-familial disease. The risk of disease in a subsequent first degree relative was compared to the risk in an initial first degree family member. Its estimated magnitude was wide (11-158). However, use of population prevalence data to determine the expected number of systemic sclerosis patients in the negative cohorts' families suggests the higher estimate is more realistic. Despite the high magnitude, the absolute disease risk in first degree family members remained low--approximating 1%. The population prevalence of familial systemic sclerosis approximated 1.4/million. CONCLUSIONS: This study substantially increases the otherwise small list of documented instances of familial systemic sclerosis. More importantly, it quantifies the risk for the first time, ranking it as the disease's most powerful determinant identified to date.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1999

Systemic sclerosis prevalence and mortality in Sydney 1974-88.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis prevalence and mortality estimates have demonstrated wide variability. The sole Australian study published to date demonstrated high prevalence rates when compared to overseas estimates. The prevalence and mortality findings reported in this paper derive from a larger study which addressed the distribution and determinants of systemic sclerosis within Sydney. AIMS: To determine systemic sclerosis prevalence and mortality rates within Sydney over 15 years, 1974-88. METHODS: Cases were ascertained from multiple sources including death certificates, hospitals, physicians, vascular surgeons' and dermatologists' private practices, a systemic sclerosis self-help group and private medical laboratories. RESULTS: Overall, 715 cases were identified. Females comprised 77% (95% CI: 74-80) of cases. Disease of the limited subtype accounted for 79% (95% CI: 76-82) of all systemic sclerosis, being relatively more frequent in living than deceased cases, and in females than males. Crude prevalence estimates appeared to rise between 1975 (4.52/100,000 95% CI:3.75-5.29/100,000) and 1988 (8.62/100,000 95% CI:7.64-9.60/100,000) as did estimates of diffuse disease. However, diffuse disease prevalence, when expressed as a proportion of total disease prevalence, showed no significant temporal change. Although crude mortality rates also showed apparent temporal increases (0.24/100,000 in 1975 to 0.80/100,000 in 1988) standardised mortality rates showed less convincing trends (0.41/100,000 in 1976 and 0.40/100,000 in 1988). Death certificate-derived mortality rates provided relatively large underestimates of total mortality. However, these underestimates were relatively constant over time. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated systemic sclerosis prevalence and mortality rates comparable to overseas estimates, consistently higher prevalence and mortality rates in females than males, proportionally higher rates of diffuse disease in males than females and in deceased cases than living cases, a diffuse: limited disease ratio apparently stable over time, apparently increasing temporal prevalence and mortality rates and, by implication, rising incidence rates. The observed temporal rise in diffuse disease prevalence and the absence of a convincing fall in diffuse disease mortality suggests a rising temporal incidence rate of diffuse disease. Standardised mortality rates demonstrated less consistent trends than did crude mortality rates and failed to demonstrate convincing declines in mortality subsequent to the introduction of ACE inhibitors for management of systemic sclerosis renal disease. Death certificate-derived systemic sclerosis mortality rates considerably and consistently underestimated systemic sclerosis-all cause mortality.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1998

How to increase the proportion of hysterectomies performed vaginally.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of our study was to identify the patient characteristics of women undergoing hysterectomy and to estimate the proportion of hysterectomies that could be done vaginally by recognized surgical techniques. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 500 women who underwent hysterectomy were reviewed. The characteristics of patients without an absolute contraindication to vaginal hysterectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 96 (19.2%) of our study group underwent vaginal hysterectomy. A total of 382 (76.4%) women were judged not to have an absolute contraindication to this route. The most frequent characteristics of this group were lack of uterine prolapse (76.4%), a myomatous uterus (44.5%), and a need for oophorectomy (43.2%). We did not exclude women who did not have significant uterine prolapse or a history of pelvic surgery or pelvic tenderness and we included those requiring oophorectomy or with a uterine size up to that of 14 weeks' gestation; with these criteria more than two thirds of the entire study population could undergo vaginal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: To maximize the proportion of hysterectomies performed vaginally, gynecologists need to be familiar with surgical techniques for dealing with nonprolapsed uteri, uterine leiomyomas, and vaginal oophorectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Medical Research Council randomised trial of endometrial resection versus hysterectomy in management of menorrhagia.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent indication for hysterectomy is menorrhagia, even though the uterus is normal in a large number of patients. Transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE) is a less drastic alternative, but success rates have varied and menorrhagia can recur. We have tested the hypothesis that the difference in the proportion of women dissatisfied and requiring further surgery within 3 years of TCRE or hysterectomy would be no more than 15%. METHODS: 202 women with symptomatic menorrhagia were recruited to a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial to compare the two interventions. TCRE and hysterectomy were randomly assigned in a ratio of two to one. The primary endpoints were women's satisfaction and need for further surgery. The patients' psychological and social states were monitored before surgery, then annually with a questionnaire. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: Data were available for 172 women (56 hysterectomy, 116 TCRE); 26 withdrew before surgery and four were lost to follow-up. Satisfaction scores were higher for hysterectomy than for TCRE throughout follow-up (median 2 years), but the differences were not significant (at 3 years 27 [96%] of 28 in hysterectomy group vs 46 [85%] of 54 in TCRE group were satisfied; p = 0.16). 25 (22%) women in the TCRE group and five (9%) in the hysterectomy group required further surgery (relative risk 0.46 [95% CI 0.2-1.1], p = 0.053). TCRE had the benefits of shorter operating time, fewer complications, and faster rates of recovery. INTERPRETATION: TCRE is an acceptable alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia for many women with no other serious disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lignocaine aerosol spray in outpatient hysteroscopy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of lignocaine spray during outpatient hysteroscopy in reducing the need for additional anesthesia and reducing the discomfort of the procedure. DESIGN: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: An undergraduate university teaching hospital in London. PATIENT(S): One hundred twenty patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. INTERVENTION(S): Application of lignocaine spray to the cervix, cervical canal, and uterine cavity during outpatient hysteroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The need to use additional anesthesia and the pain experienced at various steps of the procedure. RESULT(S): Women treated with active spray experienced significantly less pain when the cervix was grasped with a tenaculum at the start of hysteroscopy. There were no other significant differences in the outcome of hysteroscopy between the placebo and lignocaine groups, although there was a significant reduction in the use of additional anesthesia in both groups compared with historical controls. CONCLUSION(S): Lignocaine spray has beneficial effects on cervical but not uterine sensation. Pretreatment with either lignocaine or placebo seems to reduce the need for additional intracervical anesthesia during hysteroscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Endometrial resection for the treatment of menorrhagia.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial resection is an alternative to hysterectomy in the treatment of women with menorrhagia, but it may not control the condition. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of such resection. METHODS: We followed 525 consecutive women (mean age at initial surgery, 42 years) for up to five years after endometrial resection. The women were examined 6 to 12 weeks after the operation and were then sent yearly questionnaires seeking information about their condition. The mean duration of follow-up was 31 months. Thirty-seven women (86 percent of the 43 women available for five years of follow-up) were followed for the entire period. RESULTS: Endometrial resection was completed successfully in 95 percent of the women, with operative complications in 6 percent. Forty-eight women underwent subsequent resection. The yearly questionnaires indicated that 85 to 100 percent of the women (depending on the year of follow-up) had adequately controlled menorrhagia, 26 to 40 percent had amenorrhea, 71 to 80 percent reported either a lessening of menstrual pain or no pain, and 79 to 87 percent were satisfied with the results of their surgery. No further surgery was needed by 80 percent of the women, and only 9 percent underwent hysterectomy during the five years of follow-up, with 98 percent of those operations being performed in the first three postoperative years. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial resection is an effective alternative to hysterectomy in women with menorrhagia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

2500 Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy. METHODS: The outcome of 2500 consecutive outpatient hysteroscopies was analyzed. Cervical dilation was performed when necessary and local anesthesia was not administered routinely. Endometrial biopsy and minor hysteroscopic procedures were carried out when indicated. Findings and outcome were compared according to patient characteristics. RESULTS: The most common indication for hysteroscopy was abnormal uterine bleeding (87%). Hysteroscopy was performed successfully in 96.4%, and a complete view of the uterine cavity was obtained in 88.9%. Local anesthesia was used in 29.8% and was associated with the need for cervical dilation; both local anesthetic use and cervical dilation were significantly more often required in nulligravid, nulliparous, and postmenopausal women. Intrauterine pathology was diagnosed in 48%, the highest incidence being found in those 50-60 years old (53.7%). The presence of fibroids was the most common abnormality (24.3%) but was seen in only 6.8% of women older than 60 years. Conversely, the incidence of endometrial polyps increased with age, up to 20.5% in women over 60 years. Endometrial biopsy was performed in 68% and produced adequate tissue for histologic examination in 83.7%. Endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma was detected in 1%. One hundred sixteen women (4.6%) underwent a minor hysteroscopic procedure. CONCLUSION: Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy is both feasible and acceptable in the overwhelming majority of cases, with a high detection rate for intrauterine pathology. This procedure may become as routine in the 21st century as D&C has been in the 20th.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of carbon dioxide and normal saline for uterine distension in outpatient hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient acceptance and the clinical feasibility of carbon dioxide compared with normal saline for uterine distension in outpatient hysteroscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred fifty-seven patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Outpatient hysteroscopy was performed with carbon dioxide or normal saline with endometrial biopsy when indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Need for local anesthesia, cervical dilatation, view of uterine cavity, need to change from carbon dioxide to normal saline distension, procedure time, patient discomfort (lower abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, nausea) and complications. RESULTS: Carbon dioxide was used for uterine distension in 79 women and normal saline was used in 78. Cervical dilatation was required more often with carbon dioxide hysteroscopy, although there was no increased requirement for local anesthesia. Hysteroscopic vision was similar between the two media, but eight carbon dioxide cases had to be converted to liquid distension. Procedure times were significantly longer for carbon dioxide hysteroscopy as was the occurrence of bubbles during the procedure. Lower abdominal pain and shoulder tip pain were significantly worse with carbon dioxide distension. Although the incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher with the use of carbon dioxide, the differences did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The use of normal saline for uterine distension had no adverse affects on the hysteroscopic view. It provided a shorter operating time and was well accepted by patients. Because of its easy availability and low cost, normal saline is an excellent alternative to carbon dioxide in women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hysteroscopy in women with abnormal uterine bleeding on hormone replacement therapy: a comparison with postmenopausal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and to contrast this with a control group of women presenting with postmenopausal bleeding. DESIGN: Comparative observational study. SETTING: Outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred ten patients undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy when indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hysteroscopic findings, need for cervical dilatation and local anaesthesia, correlation between hysteroscopy and histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 157 (7.1%) patients with AUB on HRT and another 153 (6.9%) with postmenopausal bleeding out of 2,203 outpatient hysteroscopies. Hysteroscopy was successful in 97% and 92% of patients, respectively, and intrauterine pathology was diagnosed in 46.7% and 39.7% of these cases. Functional endometrium was noted significantly more often with HRT and endometrial atrophy with postmenopausal bleeding. Overall, local anesthesia was used in 126 (40.6%) and shown to be associated significantly with the need for cervical dilatation. Endometrial biopsy was attempted in 125 (80%) and 119 (78%) patients in the study and control groups, but was unsuccessful significantly more often with postmenopausal bleeding (38.7%) versus 16%). There were six cases of endometrial carcinoma, all in the control group. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of intrauterine abnormalities in women with menstrual symptoms while taking HRT, but the pathology differed from those with postmenopausal bleeding. As focal lesions are found commonly in such patients, their detection by diagnostic hysteroscopy should improve compliance with HRT as it would allow individualization of treatment.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1996

Long-Term Results of Endometrial Resection

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of initial and repeat transcervical resection of the endometrium (TCRE ) in the treatment of menorrhagia, and to estimate the likelihood of treatment failure, we reviewed 525 women treated over 5 years and analyzed our results by life table analysis. Total TCRE was completed in 95.3% of patients, and 112 patients had simultaneous hysteroscopic myomectomy. In 167 women TCRE was performed under local anesthesia. The complication rate was 7.2%. The satisfaction rate varied from 80% to 89.5% over the 5 years. Forty percent of women were amenorrheic at 1 year. Increasing uterine size, young age, fibroids, and lack of endometrial preparation were factors associated with negative outcome. Eighty-six women required further surgery after the initial TCRE, pelvic pain menorrhagia being the most common indications. Eighty percent of patients avoided further surgery and 90% avoided hysterectomy. The failures plateau after 4 years, and even if some women require further gynecologic surgery after this time, it is unlikely that this will have significant impact on the overall results.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Vaginal hysterectomy for the large uterus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of performing vaginal hysterectomy on enlarged uteri the equivalent of 14 to 20 weeks of gestation in size. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: The Royal Free Hospital, London. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen consecutive women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy for uterine fibroids up to 20 weeks in size. INTERVENTIONS: Vaginal hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or oophorectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uterine size and weight, techniques used to reduce uterine size, surgical outcome, operative time, estimated operative blood loss, intra- and post-operative complications, duration of hospitalisation. RESULTS: The mean uterine size was 16.3 weeks (range 14 to 20 weeks). All hysterectomies were completed successfully by the vaginal route. The uteri weighed 380 to 1100 g, with a mean of 638.7 g. Bisection combined with myomectomy and morcellation were used in most cases to obtain reduction in uterine size, whereas coring was only utilised in two cases. The mean operating time was 84.3 min with a range of 30 to 150 min. The only complications were transient haematuria (n = 6) and superficial vaginal grazes (n = 5). One of the women required a blood transfusion. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 3.7 days (range 2 to 9 days). CONCLUSION: Enlargement of the uterus to a size equivalent to 20 weeks of gestation should no longer be considered a contraindication to vaginal hysterectomy. Many more hysterectomies should be carried out vaginally without resorting to abdominal or laparoscopic surgery.

Adult↗