Total laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy was first performed in 1989 and has become one of the procedures that may be offered to women with significant gynecologic symptoms. This article describes alternatives to hysterectomy, indications for laparoscopic hysterectomy, and outcomes and complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy as compared with vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy. Surgical technique for both total and supracervical hysterectomy are described as well as the learning curve, training, and credentialing for these procedures.