Sonographic and Histological Morphometry of the Uterine Cervix-An Assessment of Laparoscopic and Other lntrafascial Hysterectomy Techniques.

New abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy techniques, such as classic intrafascial serrated edged macro-morcellator (SEMM) hysterectomy (CISH), by pelviscopy/laparoscopy or laparotomy, and intrafascial vaginal hysterectomy (IVH), are both essentially supravaginal techniques. It has been claimed that they give a prophylaxis against cervical stump carcinoma by coring out the cervix with the SEMM. We set out to answer two questions: 1) How can vaginosonography help to choose an adequate SEMM diameter so that the cervical mucosa and transformation zone are completely removed, and 2) How often do cervical glands remain after the coring out procedure? We were able to show a good correlation between sonographic and histological morphology by giant and serial sections. In 253 CISH operations, resection of both endocervix and transformation zone was complete in 92.9%. Dysplasias were always removed completely; only 18 cervical cores exhibited healthy glands (retention cysts) in the resection margin. Therefore, CISH procedures should be able to prevent most of the cervical stump carcinomata that follow traditional supravaginal hysterectomy, but only long-term follow-up will give the final proof.