Why this technique is useful...

This technique increases the lateral accessibility and visibility. This technique is safe and effective in conducting vaginal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy in almost all cases of benign disease with a uterus up to 20 weeks of gestation and without prolapse irrespective of most pre-existing conditions regarded as relative contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy. It increases accessibility and visibility to narrow working spaces between uterus and the pelvic sidewall. Vaginal walls are incised by monopolar current (30-35 watts). A right angle forceps is used throughout to elevate, hook, stretch, spread and retract all the lateral attachments of uterus and vessels from their posterior aspects; tissues were desiccated by bipolar current (45 watts) and divided between the prongs of forceps. Uterine arteries are secured extraperitoneally. We do not use thick clamps, needle and suture as used in conventional methods. Suture is only used for vault anchoring and vault closure. Use of a thin rigid long torch like 10mm telescope with light source to transmit light to the deeper and darker operation sites increases visibility (mostly in obese women) further makes the operation easier. Conventional volume reduction manoeuvres were used as associated procedures in cases of large uteri to create the parauterine space for bipolar forceps and scissors. Thus our technique overcomes the problems due to narrow lateral space and poor visibility in vaginal hysterectomy.

Need of Morcellation
Only 13.55% cases required morcellation of uterus to reduce volume. Uteri of less than 280grams weight usually did not need morcellation. Using this technique we have removed uteri of 400 and 430grms intact (specimen photograph & photograph in last part of video) with out the need of morcellation.

Salpingo-oophorectomy
We have conducted salpingo-oophorectomy during vaginal hysterectomy in all indicated cases including a unilocular simple ovarian cyst of 20weeks size (photograph of which is shown in the (last part of video) which was aspirated before it was excised. Hydrosalpinx, adnexal cysts, Adnexal mass, (last part of video) could be safely removed by this technique.

Adhesions
Adhesions could be easily dissected by right angle forceps, coagulated by bipolar forceps close to uterine wall and divided by scissors to release uterus and ovaries from lateral adhesions. History of previous pelvic operation has not been a contraindication to our technique. This technique promises advantages of a high success rate, almost no need of conversion, low frequency of requirement of volume reduction manoeuvres, less intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, mild postoperative pain, early discharge from hospital and early resumption of routine work. Thus it will reduce cost and complications.Surgeon who is in favour of vaginal hysterectomy will inflate his limit; Surgeon who is not in favour of vaginal hysterectomy will think to go for vaginal hysterectomy to provide maximum comfort (no scar no pain) of the removal of uterus to a loyal customer. Women will not be afraid of undergoing removal of uterus through this technique. Number of fancy laparoscopic hysterectomies will be brought down. Learning is easy.

Instruments
To conduct vaginal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy successfully in almost all cases of benign disease with a uterus up to 20 weeks of gestation and without prolapse one has to have-

1.A right angle forceps (Lahey or Mixter). We use Lahey one.
2.Electrocautery, a bipolar forceps of 8.5-9.0 inches length.
3. A 10mm telescope with light source.
4. Other instruments are as in routine vaginal hysterectomy operation.
Current setting :
a) Monopolar 30-35watts
b) Bipolar 45-50watts.


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References
1.R. K. Purohit, A. K. Pattnaik : Vaginal Hysterectomy by Electrosurgery (An Extraperitoneal Approach), J Obstet Gynecol India Vol.51, No. 5: September/October 2001 Pg 162-164
Web site- http://www.journal-obgyn-india.com

2.Ram K. Purohit : Purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy : a new approach performed in 214 patients Gynaecological endoscopy 2002 Dec;11(6);423-430

3.Purohit Ram Krishna, Tripathy Prakash Narayan, Pattnaik Abhaya Kumar : Vaginal Hysterectomy Using Electrocautery and Purohit Approach To Uterine Artery, J Obstet Gynecol India Vol.53, No. 5: September / October 2003 Pg 475-478
Web site - http://www.journal-obgyn-india.com/articles/sep-oct2003/g_paper475.asp

4.Ram Krishna Purohit: Purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy : a new approach BJOG (British Journal of Obstetric and Gynaecology) : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2003 Dec, Vol. 110 (12) pp. 1115-1119
Web Site - www.bjog-elsevier.com

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