Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancers: a review of 16 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate, in a series of 16 consecutive patients, the technique, feasibility and oncological safety of laparoscopic anterior exenteration for locally advanced pelvic cancers.


METHODS
Since August 2003, 16 patients with locally advanced pelvic cancer were considered. All patients were in a good general condition, in the age group of 50-60 years of which 12 had cervical carcinoma and 4 had bladder carcinoma.


RESULTS
The median operative time was 180 min. The mean number of harvested pelvic iliac nodes was 14. All margins were tumor-free. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. Three patients had postoperative complications; two had subacute intestinal obstruction and one had ureteric leak. The median follow-up was 15 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results have demonstrated the feasibility and oncological safety of performing anterior exenteration laparoscopically in advanced pelvic cancer patients with acceptable morbidity. Intermediate-term follow-up validates the adequacy of this procedure.
Puntambekar
Shailesh
S
Galaxy Laparoscopy Institute, 25-A, Karve Road, Near Garware College, Pune 411 004, India. shase@vsnl.net
Kudchadkar
Reshma J
RJ
Gurjar
Ajit M
AM
Sathe
Ravindra M
RM
Chaudhari
Yogesh C
YC
Agarwal
Geetanjali A
GA
Rayate
Neeraj V
NV
D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*