Pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer: extraperitoneal versus laparoscopic approach.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the extraperitoneal versus the laparoscopic technique in performing pelvic lymphadenectomy in a series of patients undergoing a radical vaginal hysterectomy for locally advanced cervical cancer.


METHODS
Retrospective study with 42 patients undergoing a radical vaginal hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Patients from group A (20 patients) had a laparoscopic lymph node dissection and patients belonging to group B (22 patients) had an extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Historical data, clinical and surgical characteristics, perioperative and post-operative complications were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted according to the oncologic requirements.


RESULTS
No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of blood loss, post-operative pain, transfusions, hospital stay and post-operative hematomas. The extraperitoneal group (group B) significantly showed a reduced operating time, a greater number of nodes removed (p<0.05). The only lymphocyst occurred in group B.


CONCLUSIONS
Extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy can be considered an adequate technique to complement radical vaginal operations for cervical cancer.
Larciprete
Giovanni
G
Associazione Fatebenefratelli per la Ricerca, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina Hospital, P.zza Fatebenefratelli 39, 00186 Rome, Italy. glarciprete@libero.it
Casalino
Beniamino
B
Segatore
Mario F
MF
Jarvis
Sheba
S
Catarinella
Vittorio
V
Cirese
Elio
E
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*