title: Radiofrequency bipolar coagulation for radical hysterectomy: technique, feasibility and complications.
abstract: This study describes the surgical technique and intra- and postoperative complications associated with the use of a radiofrequency bipolar coagulator in a series of 18 Piver type III-IV radical hysterectomies performed in cervical cancer patients. Preliminary vessel-by-vessel dissection of the lateral parametria was possible in 17 out of 18 (94%) cases, and a direct application of a radiofrequency bipolar coagulation instrument was performed to coagulate the posterior and anterior parametrial tissues in all cases. We were able to easily coagulate isolated vessels up to 5 mm of maximal diameter. In no case were clamps or hemoclips necessary to complete hemostasis. We did not observe any parametrial vessel damage or heat-related injury of the surrounding normal tissue. The median size of the parametria removed was 44 mm (range 31-58) and nodes were detected in 15 cases (83%). Median operative time and estimated blood loss for the whole procedure including systematic pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy was 250 min (range 200-410) and 550 ml (range 400-2500), respectively. Median follow-up time was 9 months (range 5-13). No complications specifically related to the use of radiofrequency coagulation were found. In conclusion the radio-frequency coagulation with this instrument appears to be a safe technique that is particularly useful in reducing blood loss and operative time without affecting radicality in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ercoli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagotti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malzoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrandina
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Susini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malzoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scambia
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*