Impact of Vaginal Cuff Closure Technique on Postoperative Vaginal Length and Sexual Function: A Prospective Randomized Study

Objective: Laparoscopic hysterectomy is the vaginal removal of the uterus with laparoscopic asistance.After hysterectomy, vaginbal length may be shortened by cuff suturing, resulting in outcomes such as dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction.Hysterectomy may also affect women physically and psychologically, and lead to changes in sexual function.In patients planned to undergo hysterectomy; changes that may occur in sexual functions cause serious concerns during the pre-operative period.However, physicians often miss these important points and do not discuss these issues adequately with patients.In this prospective randomized study, we aimed to compare the effects of vaginal cuff closure techniques in laparoscopic hysterectomy on vaginal length (primary outcome) and women's sexual function [secondary outcome, assessed by the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX)].Methods: Sixty-three patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy in the clinic of gynecology and obstetrics Bolu Abant zzet Baysal University Training and Research Hospital were included in this study.They were divided into two groups according to the vaginal cuff closure techniques during the total laparoscopic hysterectomy operation: those closed with laparoscopic suturing and vaginal suturing.Demographic data and pre-operative vaginal lengths of the patients were recorded in the pre-operative period.It was planned to measure vaginal lengths andevaluate sexual life functions 3 months after the hysterectomy operation.Vaginal