title: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection learning experience at campus Virchow - Charite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to establish and analyze the laparoscopic technique of radical hysterectomy and para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy and to retrospectively evaluate its feasibility and morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a one-year period 12 patients underwent laparoscopic radical surgical procedures for cervical or endometrial cancer. All our patients underwent radical pelvic lymphadenectomy, whereas we performed radical para-aortic lymphadenectomy-alone in five patients and radical type-C hysterectomy in eight patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operating time for para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy was 120 and 152 minutes respectively, and 153.75 minutes for type C hysterectomy. A mean of 41.6 pelvic lymph nodes and 21.2 para-aortic lymph nodes were removed. The mean extensions of parametrium in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy type C were 45×30 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following a short learning curve, laparoscopic para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy is a safe and effective technique for staging cervical, and endometrial cancer.
authors.affiliation: Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany. Mustafa-Zelal.Muallem@charite.de
authors.forename: Mustafa Zelal
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Muallem
authors.forename: Aarne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feldheiser
authors.forename: Jalid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sehouli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000193:education*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D007858:Learning; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy; initial experience; laparoscopic lymph node dissection; learning curve; total mesometrial resection