Para-aortic node sampling in small (3-cm or less) stage IB invasive cervical cancer.

Only 2 of 125 patients with FIGO stage IB invasive squamous or adenocarcinoma of the cervix 3 cm or less in diameter who underwent exploration for radical hysterectomy, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy, and para-aortic node sampling had metastases to the para-aortic nodes. No patient had gross para-aortic nodal involvement, and both patients with microscopic para-aortic nodal metastases had grossly positive pelvic nodal involvement. Para-aortic node sampling in patients with small stage IB cervical cancers undergoing radical hysterectomy may be restricted to patients with suspicious pelvic or para-aortic nodes.     

盆腹腔淋巴取样术在子宫内膜癌手术中的临床意义

目的探讨盆腹腔淋巴取样术在子宫内膜癌的临床意义。方法分析2000年1月-2007年12月上海同济大学附属第一妇婴保健院手术治疗的213例子宫内膜癌患者,其中,86例行盆腹腔淋巴取样术,127例行淋巴结切除术。手术方式根据手术切除淋巴结的情况分为两组。①取样组：淋巴取样术,筋膜外全子宫双附件切除/次广泛子宫切除术＋盆腔/腹主动脉旁淋巴结取样术86例;②切除组：次广泛/广泛子宫切除术＋盆腔淋巴结切除/腹主动脉旁淋巴结切除术127例。结果取样组：切除淋巴结中位数18枚,淋巴结的转移10例。切除组：切除淋巴结中位数32枚,淋巴结转移11例。5年生存率分别为94.2%和94.5%。取样组无病发症发生,淋巴结切除组中有9例,分别是1例术中大出血（〉2000ml）,淋巴囊肿感染6例,淋巴漏2例。结论在子宫内膜癌中淋巴结取样术可准确了解淋巴结的转移情况,适宜手术分期,并不影响生存率,是避免过度手术减少并发症发生的有效方法。     

Laparoscopic radical trachelectomy or parametrectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for cervical or vaginal stump carcinoma: report of six cases

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical parametrectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy after previous supracervical or extrafascial hysterectomy. This is a prospective study of six patients with vaginal or cervical stump carcinoma after previous supracervical or extrafascial hysterectomy. The technique of radical parametrectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy as used for open surgical cases for years was performed laparoscopically. The average operating time was 180 min, the estimated average blood loss was 220 mL, and the duration of hospitalization was 11.8 days. There was no intraoperative or postoperative complication. Laparoscopic radical parametrectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy for cervical or vaginal stump carcinoma can be successfully and safely accomplished.     

Extended experience in the use of laparoscopic ultrasound to detect pelvic nodal metastasis in patients with cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of laparoscopic ultrasound (USG) to detect pelvic nodal metastasis in patients with early stage cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Laparoscopic USG was used to search for pelvic lymph node metastasis in stage Ia2 to IIa cervical carcinoma patients before radical hysterectomy. Suspicious lymph nodes identified by laparoscopic USG were removed laparoscopically for pathological confirmation by frozen section. If nodal metastasis was diagnosed, radical hysterectomy would be cancelled but enlarged lymph nodes were removed preferably by laparoscopic approach before closing the abdomen. These patients were treated with radiotherapy after recovering from the surgery. By comparing the laparoscopic USG and pathological findings of lymph nodes removed with or without radical hysterectomy, diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopic USG was determined. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were recruited and the final analysis included 90 patients. Laparoscopic USG found suspicious lymph nodes in 17 patients and nodal metastases were confirmed pathologically in 14 of them. Three patients with macroscopic and five patients with microscopic pelvic nodal metastases were missed by laparoscopic USG. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of laparoscopic USG in detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis were 87.8%, 63.6%, 95.6%, 82.4%, and 89%, respectively. Macroscopic metastatic nodes were successfully removed laparoscopically in 11 out of 14 patients and laparotomy was required for the other three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic USG can be performed with no major morbidity. This technique is sensitive in detecting macroscopic but not microscopic metastatic pelvic lymph nodes. Removal of macroscopic metastatic nodes identified via laparoscopic USG via laparoscopic approach could be accomplished in majority of patients.     

机器人辅助广泛性子宫切除术和盆腔淋巴结切除术的初步研究

目的 探讨将机器人手术系统应用于宫颈癌的广泛性子宫切除+盆腔淋巴结切除术的可行性.方法 2008年12月-2009年8月,采用da Vinci机器人手术系统,对5例Ⅰb1～Ⅱ a期宫颈癌患者行机器人辅助广泛性子宫切除+盆腔淋巴结切除术.记录手术时间、术中出血量、术中及术后并发症的发生情况、手术前后血红蛋白含量变化、术后体温及排气时间、术后恢复自主排尿时间、术后住院时间、病理检查结果、盆腔淋巴结切除数等.结果 5例患者全部顺利完成手术,无中转开腹,无术中或术后并发症出现.5例患者的手术时间分别为305、365、275、240和245 min,平均为286 min;术中出血量分别约为200、400、650、300和400 ml,平均为390 ml.5例患者术后最高体温均未超过37.5℃,术后36 h均排气.5例患者术后住院时间分别为11、13、9、12和12 d,平均为11.4 d.5例患者的病理检查结果均为鳞状细胞癌,阴道残端和宫旁切缘均无残留病灶.盆腔淋巴结切除数分别为14、22、16、21和18个,平均为18.2个,淋巴结无转移.结论 机器人手术系统可以应用于宫颈癌的广泛性子宫切除+盆腔淋巴结切除术,这一新方法为宫颈癌的手术治疗提供了一个新的选择.     

The role of laparoscopic hysterectomy and lymph node dissection in treatment of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: The development of new diagnostic and surgical methods has brought a differentiated approach to surgery of endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to verify the peri-and postoperative differences between laparoscopic and open procedure and prepare protocol for a second phase follow-up multicentric study. METHODS: The study includes 133 women with indications for surgery of endometrial cancer. A prospective multicentric study was undertaken at four centres in the Czech Republic. We evaluated differences in the peri-and postoperative outcomes. Sixty-eight patients treated laparoscopically were compared with 65 patients treated by an open procedure of hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Three patients with conversion were withdrawn from the study and another 65 patients (97%) from the laparoscopic group successfully completed the procedures. Laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy were performed based on the grade of the tumor and depth of myometrial invasion. Out of both groups, 75 patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and 21 women underwent para-aortic lymph node dissection or sampling. Eleven patients had metastases in the pelvic or para-aortic nodes (11.7% versus 4.7% in the open procedure group). Deep myoinvasion over 50% was more frequently present in the group of abdominally-treated women. The rate of major complications (18 versus 14 cases) was higher in the laparoscopic group, but more wound infections were seen in the open procedure group. CONCLUSION: The study illustrates that the laparoscopic approach to surgery is feasible and it also may be considered for endometrial cancer which typically occurs in at risk and obese women. Recovery time is reduced by avoiding an abdominal incision. Laparoscopic surgery was performed successfully in 65 women and in 8 cases (11.7%) malignant spread outside to the regional lymph nodes was found. However, the selection of patients for laparoscopy should be done considering optimal benefit and safety.     

子宫颈癌患者腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术联合淋巴结切除术的临床效果评估

目的 评估腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术联合盆腹腔淋巴结切除术用于治疗子宫颈癌的临床效果。方法 对57例Ⅰa～Ⅱb期的子宫颈癌患者,施行腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术联合盆腔及腹主动脉周围淋巴结切除术。其中子宫颈鳞状细胞癌48例,腺癌7例,腺鳞癌2例。结果 除2例外,所有患者均在腹腔镜下完成手术,平均手术时间为186min(150～320min),术中平均出血168ml(120～700ml),切除盆腔和腹主动脉周围淋巴结数量平均为18．6个和8．2个;8例患者淋巴结为阳性。所有切除组织边缘大体检查均为阴性。术中2例膀胱损伤、1例静脉损伤,均于镜下修补成功;2例中转开腹。术后肛门排气时间平均为2．3d,恢复自主排尿时间平均为10．2d。手术后每3个月随访1次,发现轻度输尿管狭窄1例,尿潴留2例,阴道残端复发3例,病情未控1例。结论 腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除术联合盆腹腔淋巴结切除术j治疗子宫颈癌手术创伤小、并发症少、术后恢复快,是一种治疗子宫颈癌的理想方法。     

Isolated para-aortic node involvement in stage IB/II cervical carcinoma

The aim of this report was to describe exceptional cases of patients treated for stage Ib and II cervical carcinoma with isolated para-aortic node involvement and to deduce therapeutic implications. Between 1985 and 1998, 491 women with stage IB or II cervical carcinoma underwent radical hysterectomy with systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Five patients had para-aortic metastatic nodes but no external iliac, obturator or common iliac node involvement. These five patients had a tumor size >3 cm. According to these cases, in patients with bulky cervical carcinoma systematic complete lymphadenectomy should be performed in order to avoid misdiagnosis of para-aortic node involvement.     

腹腔镜下淋巴结切除治疗妇科恶性肿瘤的临床分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除和盆,腹腔淋巴结切除用于妇科恶性肿瘤的可行性及价值。方法 对子宫内膜癌21例,子宫颈癌25例患者,根据病变部位和淋巴结切除术适应证,行盆腔淋巴结切除术,其中对30例患者行选择性腹主动脉周围淋巴结切除,再行腹腔镜辅助阴式广泛子宫切除术。结果 腹腔镜下手术时间平均为3.1h,术中出血平均198ml。切除淋巴结数平均16个。术后住院时间平均9.6d。术中发生膀胱损伤2例。静脉损伤2例。1例大肠损伤术中转行开腹术,术后仅1例于1个月后出现双侧输尿管轻度狭窄,1例术后1个月出现肿瘤穿刺孔转移,3例出现尿潴留,其余无明显并发症发生。结论 对妇科恶性肿瘤施行腹腔镜下广泛子宫切除和盆,腹腔淋巴结切除术安全可靠;淋巴结切除彻底,且手术创伤小,并发症少,术后恢复快。     

Feasibility of extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy for cervical and endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Seventy-six patients underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy between February 1999 and September 2005. The lymph nodes dissected with the laparoscopic procedure included the inframesenteric para-aortic lymph nodes, the sacral lymph nodes, and the bilateral common iliac lymph nodes. The extraperitoneal laparoscopic operation was performed with pelvic open surgery using Lap Disc to ensure the safety of patients. RESULTS: The number of patients with cervical and endometrial carcinoma was 36 and 40, respectively. The median age of patients was 51 years (range 24-75 years). Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 8 patients. These include 3 patients who encountered blood loss of 400, 136 and 128 ml; 2 extremely obese women; and 3 patients who had peritoneal tears causing CO2 gas leakage. Among the remaining 68 patients, the median operating time for extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy was 75 min (range 45-145 min), and the median estimated blood loss was 5 ml (range 5-138 ml). The median total number of resected nodes was 14 (range 2-31), and 4 patients had lymph node metastasis. No patient encountered postoperative complications attributable to extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic and common iliac lymphadenectomy with pelvic open surgery using Lap Disc is a feasible procedure, particularly in the surgeons learning phase.     

腹腔镜广泛子宫切除术及盆腹腔淋巴结切除术23例并发症分析

目的 探讨因宫颈癌及子宫内膜癌行腹腔镜广泛子宫切除术和盆腹腔淋巴结切除术患者的并发症发生情况及防治方法。方法 回顾性分析我院2000年7月至2004年12月间,278例宫颈癌及子宫内膜癌患者的腹腔镜广泛子宫切除术及盆腔、腹主动脉周围淋巴结切除术的临床资料。结果 278例腹腔镜广泛子宫切除术及盆腹腔淋巴结切除术中,除4例中转开腹外,其余手术均在腹腔镜下完成,其中有108例患者行腹主动脉周围淋巴结切除术。4例中转开腹手术者中,3例为急诊开腹手术,1例为选择性开腹手术。278例中共发生各类并发症23例,术中并发症13例,其中血管损伤7例,5例在腹腔镜下行血管修补或结扎,1例髂外静脉损伤者开腹行血管吻合术,1例开腹止血;膀胱损伤4例,均在腹腔镜下行修补术;1例患者因高碳酸血症中转开腹手术;另1例患者因结肠损伤而中转开腹行肠修补术。术后并发症10例,其中3例输尿管阴道瘘,3例膀胱阴道瘘,需再次手术治疗;1例输尿管狭窄;3例尿潴留。结论 腹腔镜广泛子宫切除术及盆腔、腹主动脉周围淋巴结切除术正在逐渐成为妇科的常规手术,其最常见的并发症是血管损伤和膀胱损伤。     

Long-term survival and sequelae after surgical management of invasive cervical carcinoma diagnosed at the time of simple hysterectomy.

From 1956 to 1988, 27 women (median age, 60 years) found to have occult invasive carcinoma of the cervix at total hysterectomy underwent radical reoperation consisting of radical parametriectomy, upper vaginectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Residual disease was present at reexploration in 4 (15%) of the 27 patients: in the pelvic lymph nodes in 2, in the parametrium in 1, and in the vagina and a para-aortic node in 1. All patients were followed a minimum of 18 months; there were no deaths within 3 months of operation. However, 2 (7%) of the 27 patients developed ureterovaginal fistulas. Recurrent disease was observed in 6 (22%) of the patients: 2 had successful salvage procedures, and 4 died of disease, all within 4 years of reoperation. Recurrence correlated with the presence of residual disease at reoperation and with nonsquamous histologic findings. At a median follow-up of 8.4 years, 23 of the 27 patients were alive and disease-free. The 5-year absolute survival estimate (Kaplan-Meier) was 82%. Radical reoperation can be performed safely in selected patients who have early-stage invasive carcinoma of the cervix at the time of total hysterectomy with the expectation of an acceptable rate of long-term disease-free survival.     

Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

BACKGROUND: The purpose is to determine the rate of lymph node metastases in women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (EAE) undergoing systematic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Patients (349) underwent a complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy from caudal to the median circumflex to the level of the renal vessels. RESULTS: Grade 1 tumors accounted for 32.7% of the tumors and 31.0% of the positive nodes, grade 2 accounted for 47.3% of the tumors (37.9% of positive nodes), and grade 3 accounted for 20.1% of the tumors and 31.0% of the positive nodes (P>0.05). Positive nodes were found in 15.8% of grade 1 tumors, 13.3% of grade 2 tumors and 25.7% of grade 3 tumors (P>0.05). Isolated para-aortic involvement without pelvic nodal involvement occurred in 29% of patients with positive nodes. CONCLUSIONS: When complete lymphadenectomies are performed in EAE, positive lymph nodes (including isolated para-aortic lymph nodes) are common in all grades.     

Robot assisted laparoscopic transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the management of advanced cervical carcinoma

ObjectivesAdequate staging of advanced cervical cancer is essential in order to optimally treat the patient. FIGO clinical staging, imaging techniques such as CT scan, MRI and PET sometimes underestimate the extension of tumors. The presence of para-aortic lymph node metastases in advanced cervical cancer identifies patients with poor prognosis who need to be treated aggressively. Laparoscopic para-aortic lymph node dissection is now proposed as a diagnostic tool in many guidelines. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of a robot assisted laparoscopic transperitoneal approach to para-aortic lymph node dissection.Study designEight patients with advanced cervical carcinoma who were eligible for primary pelvic radiotherapy combined with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy or pelvic exenteration underwent a pre-treatment robot assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy.ResultsWe isolated from 1 to 38 para-aortic nodes per patient and had one para-aortic node positive patient who was treated with extended doses of pelvic radiotherapy. We did not encounter any major complications and post-operative morbidity was low.ConclusionsRobot assisted transperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy is feasible and provides the surgeon with greater precision than classical laparoscopy. Larger prospective multicentric trials are needed to validate the generalised usefulness of this technique.     

The use of harmonic shears (Ultracision) for laparoscopic lymphadenectomies in women with gynaecological malignancies

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the harmonic scalpel for laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the management of gynaecologic cancers. A prospective study of 21 consecutive patients with gynaecologic cancer, including cervical (11), endometrial (3), ovarian (6) and tubal (1). Eleven patients had pelvic nodes retrieval only, two had para-aortic nodes retrieval only and eight had both. Eighteen patients had transperitoneal lymphadenectomies, one had extraperitoneal and two had both. Eleven patients had a hysterectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy in addition to the laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. In all cases, the harmonic scalpel was used as the only instrument to achieve haemostasis. Average nodal yields were 21.4 for bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomies. The mean estimated blood loss was 132.7 ml. There were no intraoperative complications. Laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy using the harmonic scalpel appears to be both safe and efficient in the management of patients with gynaecologic cancers. Its main advantage is that it enables simultaneous and safe tissue dissection, haemostasis and cutting, avoiding the exchange of several instruments. It could become the first choice instrument for this procedure.     

Contribution of the sentinel node procedure to tailoring the radicality of hysterectomy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: The required radicality of hysterectomy for women with early-stage cervical cancer is controversial owing to the risk of severe complications. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of the sentinel node (SN) procedure to tailoring the radicality of hysterectomy in women with cervical cancer. METHODS: Between April 2001 and December 2005, 54 patients with early-stage or locally advanced cervical cancer underwent laparoscopic sentinel node (SN) biopsy based on combined patent blue and radiocolloid detection. Thirty-nine patients with early-stage cervical cancer underwent a laparoscopic SN procedure with complete pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical hysterectomy. Moreover, 15 women with locally advanced cervical cancer underwent an SN procedure with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy before concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. RESULTS: The SN detection rate was 83.3%. The detection rate was higher in women with early-stage disease (90%) than in women with more advanced disease (66.6%) (p=0.03). At final histology, 14 metastatic SN were found in 11 (21.3%) of the 54 patients. They comprised macrometastases in 6 SN, micrometastases in 5 SN, and isolated tumour cells in 3 SN. Parametrial involvement with negative sentinel nodes was found in 15.1% of cases. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of intraoperative imprint cytology were 20%, 100%, 100%, 79.5% and 80.5%, respectively. Among the 39 women with early cervical cancer, five (12.8%) had parametrial involvement. In univariate analysis, parametrial involvement was significantly associated with large tumour size, advanced-stage disease, positive pelvic lymph nodes and lymphovascular space involvement. Parametrial involvement tended to be associated with positive sentinel nodes. CONCLUSION: These results underline the contribution of the SN procedure to evaluating lymph node status. However, intraoperative imprint cytology appeared poorly accurate, and further histological or biological tools are needed to evaluate SN status and, hence, to tailor the radicality of hysterectomy.     

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III) with aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage I cervical cancer: surgical morbidity and intermediate follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of recurrence and to quantify morbidity and mortality rates in patients with cervical cancer who consented to undergo laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III) and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-eight consecutive patients with stage IA(2) and IB cervical cancer with at least 3 years of follow-up consented to undergo this surgical procedure with argon beam coagulation and endoscopic staplers. All patients had a Quetelet index of <35. The average age was 41.5 years (range, 26-62 years). Sixty-eight patients had squamous cell carcinomas; 8 patients had adenocarcinomas, and 2 patients had adenosquamous carcinomas of the cervix. RESULTS: All but 5 surgical procedures were completed laparoscopically. The average operative time was 205 minutes (range, 150-430 minutes). The average blood loss was 225 mL (range, 50-700 mL). One patient (1.3%) had transfusion. Operative cystotomies occurred for 3 patients: 2 cystotomies were repaired laparoscopically, and 1 cystotomy required laparotomy. One patient underwent laparotomy because of equipment failure, and another patient underwent laparotomy to pass a ureteral stent. Two other patients underwent laparotomy to control bleeding sites. The average lymph node count was 34 (range, 19-68). Nine patients (11.5%) had positive lymph nodes. All surgical margins were macroscopically negative, but 3 patients had microscopically positive and/or close surgical margins. One patient had a ureterovaginal fistula after the operation that required reoperation. Follow-up has been provided every 3 months. There have been 4 documented recurrences (5.1%), with a minimum of 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III) can be successfully completed in patients with early-stage cervical cancer with acceptable morbidity. Intermediate-term follow-up validates the adequacy of this procedure.     

Laparoscopic port-site recurrence following surgery for a stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with negative lymph nodes

BACKGROUND: Port-site metastases are commonly reported after laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cancer, but have also been reported in patients with cervical or endometrial cancer with positive lymph nodes. Recently, a case of port-site recurrence after laparoscopic surgery for a patient with node-negative early-stage adenocarcinoma of the cervix was reported. We report the first case of port-site metastasis in a patient with stage IB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with negative lymph nodes. CASE: A 31-year-old woman had a laparoscopy for pelvic pain. Under anesthesia, she was noted to have a grossly abnormal-looking cervix and a biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma. She was referred to a gynecological oncologist and underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection through a transverse lower abdominal incision 6 weeks later. Nineteen months postoperatively, she presented with a soft tissue mass in a suprapubic laparoscopic trocar site. CONCLUSION: It is postulated that cells dislodged at the time of cervical manipulation and biopsy may have passed through the fallopian tubes and implanted in the laparoscopic port site due to the "chimney effect" caused by the pneumoperitoneum.     

Extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy as a diagnostic procedure for lymph node recurrence of gynaecological cancers

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy for lymph node recurrence of gynecological cancers. METHODS: Seven patients underwent extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomies for suspected lymph node recurrence, detected by magnetic resonance image or CT scan. The suspicious nodes were removed through an extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 51 years (range: 39-67). The median operating time was 207 min (range 120-300). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The median nodal yield was 7.3 (range: 1-15). The median hospital stay was 2.5 days (range: 2-3). Histological examination revealed metastasis in 6 of the 7 patients. CONCLUSION: The extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy for lymph node recurrence of gynecological cancers is a safe and feasible procedure which should be considered in the case of possible recurrence.     

Evaluation of the Pfannenstiel incision for radical abdominal hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy

Abstract. Mendez LE, Cantuaria G, Angioli R, Mirhashemi R, Gabriel C, Estape R, Penalver M. Evaluation of the Pfannenstiel incision for radical abdominal hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphandenectomy.
Radical abdominal hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy (RAH/P + PAL) has classically been described through a low midline vertical incision. Transverse incisions have been used with good results for various pelvic surgical procedures. Hesitancy has been encountered when utilizing these transverse incisions in gynecologic oncology patients. In most studies, muscle-splitting transverse incisions seem to be of equal efficacy as midline vertical incisions in regards to surgical exposure and clinicopathologic data obtained and are known to be superior in cosmesis and postoperative morbidity. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify 25 patients who underwent RAH/P + PAL for stage I carcinoma of the cervix from 1990 to 1998 through a nonmuscle splitting (Pfannenstiel) abdominal incision. All patients were seen and had follow-up in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Medical Center (Miami, FL). Data were collected on various clinical and surgical parameters including height/weight, operative time, blood loss, number of lymph nodes obtained, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. Analysis of the data revealed that operative time and average blood loss were within acceptable parameters. The yield at lymphadenectomy for pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes was also respectable. Postoperative complications were minimal and there were no wound complications reported. Therefore, the Pfannenstiel incision can be safely utilized in a select group of patients undergoing RAH/P + PAL.