title: Nerve-sparing versus conventional laparoscopic radical hysterectomy: a minimum 12 months' follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determinate whether the introduction of nerve-sparing (NS) procedure influences surgical and survival outcomes of cervical cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of consecutive patients undergoing minimally invasive radical with or without NS surgery for cervical cancer were enrolled in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three patients (66%) who had LRH were compared with 33 women (34%) undergoing NS-LRH. Among the NS group, 19 patients (57.6%) had surgery via minilaparoscopy (using 3-mm instruments). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Patients undergoing NS-LRH had shorter operative time (210 vs 257 minutes; P = 0.005) and higher number of pelvic lymph nodes yielded (29 [26-38] vs 22 [8-49]; P < 0.001) than patient in the control group. No differences in blood loss, complications, and parametrial width were observed. Patients were catheterized with an indwelling Foley catheter for a median of 3.5 days (2-7 days) and 5.5 days (4-7 days) in NS and non-NS groups, respectively (P = 0.01). Voiding dysfunctions occurred in 1 patient (3%) and 12 patients (19%) who underwent NS-LRH and standard LRH, respectively (P = 0.03). No differences in 3-year disease-free survival (P = 0.72) and overall survival (P = 0.71) were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The beneficial effects (in terms of operative time and number of nodes harvested) of NS-LRH are likely determined by the expertise of the surgeon because NS approach was introduced after having acquired adequate background in conventional LRH. Our data show that in experienced hands NS-LRH is safe and feasible. Moreover, NS technique reduces catheterization time and the rate of postoperative urinary dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Del Ponte Hospital, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogani
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uccella
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.forename: Jvan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casarin
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pinelli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nardelli
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D059351:Organ Sparing Treatments; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*