title: Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies: evaluation of the surgical approach and outcomes over a seven-year experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies and improve upon the existing published data regarding laparoscopic lymphadenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review of 225 patients with various gynecologic malignancies who had undergone laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (LPL) and/or laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy (LPAL) at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between November 2003 and October 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and seventy-two patients underwent both LPL and LPAL, 47 patients underwent LPL alone, and six patients underwent a repeat laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. The median age and body mass index of the patients were 49.4 years (range 23-79 years) and 24.2 kg/m(2) (range 17.5-37.2 kg/m(2)). The median numbers of harvested pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were 25.9 (range 3-63) and 10.6 (range 1-34), respectively. The median operating times for the LPL and LPAL were 72.3 min (range 40-120 min) and 40 min (range 20-70 min), respectively. There were seven cases of major vessel injuries, two lymphocytes, two lymphedemas, and two chylous ascites. There was no unplanned conversion to laparotomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy can be considered a technically feasible and safe procedure and has become the alternative modality in the field of gynecologic oncology surgery. And our results could reinforce the existing published data regarding laparoscopic lymphadenectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecologic Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 108 Pyung-dong Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-746, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Woon
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Jung Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joong Sub
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang Eop
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Seung Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Jin Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jeong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Kwan Joong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Joo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult