title: Robotic radical trachelectomy for preservation of fertility in early cervical cancer: case series and description of technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a case series of robotic radical trachelectomy for preservation of fertility in early cervical cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canadian Task Force Classification III.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with early cervical cancer who wish to maintain fertility potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Robotic radical trachelectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. The procedure also uses a cervical cerclage and permits preservation of the ascending branches of the uterine arteries to the uterus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Report of the technique, and operative and immediate postoperative complications. To date, 6 women have undergone robotic radical trachelectomy, with preservation of the uterine arteries in all patients. One patient underwent completion hysterectomy when the frozen section of the trachelectomy margin revealed inability to clear the cancer. Five women have maintained their fertility potential after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic radical trachelectomy is a feasible technique that permits radical removal of the cervix. Improved visualization with the robot and fine dissection permissible with the instrument facilitate this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. aburnett@uams.edu
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Duckworth
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Roman
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D023802:Cerclage, Cervical; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D012371:Robotics; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*