Authors' recommendations: Ectopic pregnancy One Cochrane review was included that assessed laparoscopic versus open surgery for ectopic pregnancy (5). We did not find any relevant newer RCTs in our updated search. Overall there is low quality evidence that laparoscopic surgery was less effec-tive than open surgery. In addition the implication of these findings is uncertain due to old studies. Benign ovarian cysts One Cochrane review was included that assessed laparoscopic versus open surgery for benign ovarian cysts (6). We did not find any relevant RCTs in our updated search. Overall there is low to medium quality evidence that laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts gave shorter hospital stay, less pain, fewer postoperative infections, and quicker recovery than the open surgery. The surgical approach is similar for laparoscopic removal of ectopic pregnancies and ovarian cysts, and laparoscopic surgery has been shown to be less traumatic than open surgery. Due to small stud-ies, we were not able to assess rare complications. Hysterectomy for benign disease One Cochrane review was included that assessed laparoscopic versus open surgery for benign ovarian cysts (9, 11). We found 13 relevant RCTs in our updated search (se attachment “vedlegg” 3), five of which were included in the updated Cochrane review (11). Overall there is low to medium quality evidence that laparoscopic hysterectomy gave shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, fewer wound infections and fever episodes after surgery compared with open surgery. The drawbacks were longer operation time and a higher risk of bladder or urethra injury. No benefits of laparoscopic hysterectomy versus vaginal procedure have been docu-mented. The vaginal procedure has shown shorter operation time than the laparoscopic procedure, and a systematic review concluded that the vaginal procedure should be chosen.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.kunnskapssenteret.no/Publikasjoner/7754.cms?language=english&threepage=1

Year Published: 2009

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Norway

Organisation Name: Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Contact Address: Universitetsgata 2, Postbox 7004 St. Olavs plass, NO-0310 Oslo NORWAY. Tel: +47 23 25 50 00; Fax: +47 23 25 50 10;

Contact Name: Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no

Contact Email: Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no

Copyright: Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services (NOKC)