This randomised prospective study in 53 women having vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions compared a closed vault technique with an open technique. Twenty-seven had the vault closed (group A) whereas 26 patients had an open vault (group B). The primary outcomes include, vault haematoma (as detected by ultrasound on day 3) and fever. Secondary outcomes are haemorrhage, urinary tract infection, urinary retention and vault granulation tissue. The study did not show any statistical difference between either group. Prolapse of the fallopian tube was recorded in one case in the open vault group. A randomised controlled study on a larger scale is recommended.