title: Nerve-sparing radical vaginectomy: two case reports and description of the surgical technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radical vaginectomy (RV) is related to significant bladder dysfunctions. We describe 2 cases of RV with nerve-sparing technique (NSRV).
  
  
  METHODS
  A 58-year-old woman with a diagnosis of locally advanced cervical cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy with local and nodal progression of disease. The patient underwent NS radical hysterectomy plus NSRV, with prompt recovery of bladder function. A 14-year-old adolescent girl with a diagnosis of recurrent embryonal-botryoidal rhabdomyosarcoma was referred to us. She underwent 6 courses of chemotherapy with persistent disease. She then underwent NSRV. Two months after the surgical procedure, she was able to void the bladder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These are the first 2 cases of NSRV reported in literature. This new surgical technique is feasible, with prompt recovery of bladder function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raspagliesi
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ditto
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hanozet
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Solima
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grijuela
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haeusler
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fontanelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D010388:Pelvis / Q000294:innervation*; D018233:Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*