Hysterectomy in the 21st century: different approaches, different challenges.

The final decision to perform a certain method of hysterectomy customarily mirrors experience and level of comfort with a particular surgical approach in the context of the patient's condition and indication for surgery. Given the morbidity and recovery associated with a laparotomic incision, every effort should be made to avoid abdominal hysterectomy. The best available evidence points to the advantage of the vaginal approach over other methods of hysterectomy for benign conditions. Regrettably, the state of education in residency programs is not providing a level of surgical competency to meet this charge. Whenever vaginal surgery is not an option, laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy offers the best alternative. Although the promises of supracervical hysterectomy have yet to be demonstrated, laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy may offer the least morbid alternative to vaginal hysterectomy.