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There appears to be no difference in postoperative outcomes among women having a hysterectomy if the surgeon closes the vaginal vault or leaves it open. Researchers followed 273 women who had an abdominal hysterectomy, mostly for uterine fibroids. In 141 cases, the surgeons left the vaginal vault open and in the remaining 132 cases closed it surgically. The women were carefully observed for signs of infection while they were hospitalized and were seen again 4 to 8 weeks later. Seven percent of the women with an open vaginal vault developed an infection at the site compared to six percent of those with a closed vaginal vault. Three women (2%) with an open vaginal vault developed a urinary tract infection as did four women (3%) with a closed vaginal vault. Four percent of those with an open vault developed a bleeding complication such as a hematoma as did 1.5% of those with a closed vault. Two women with closed vaults required another operation.