Surgical management of endometrial adenocarcinoma using laparoscopically assisted staging and treatment.
BACKGROUND
Because of inaccuracies in clinical staging, endometrial adenocarcinoma is now a surgically staged disease. This study was done to determine the safety and efficacy of a laparoscopically assisted approach in the treatment and staging of this disease.


METHODS
Using a retrospective chart review, we identified demographic characteristics, mean blood loss, operative findings, and complications of patients who had laparoscopically assisted staging and treatment for endometrial carcinoma from 1992 to 1997.


RESULTS
Of 34 patients, 28 had laparoscopic surgical staging that included pelvic and para-aortic lymph node assessment, peritoneal washings, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and total vaginal hysterectomy; 23 patients (82%) had stage I disease, 2 (7%) had stage II disease, and 3(11%) had stage III disease. Complications included herniation through a 5 mm port site, necessitating small bowel resection, and a fatal myocardial infarction 10 days postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic staging and treatment of endometrial carcinoma is appropriate in a select group of patients.
Bajaj
P K
PK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Southern Gynecologic Oncology, 35233-7333, USA.
Barnes
M N
MN
Robertson
M W
MW
Shah
P
P
Austin
J M
JM
Partridge
E E
EE
Austin
J M
JM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies