Minilaparoscopic radical hysterectomy (mLPS-RH) vs laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy (LESS-RH) in early stage cervical cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the perioperative outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy (LESS-RH) and minilaparoscopic radical hysterectomy (mLPS-RH).


METHODS
Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
Seven institutions in Italy.


METHODS
Forty-six patents with early cervical cancer (FIGO stage IA2-IB1/IIA1) were included in the study. Nineteen patients (41.3%) underwent LESS-RH, and 27 (58.7%) underwent mLPS-RH. Pelvic lymph node dissection was performed in all patients.


METHODS
In the LESS-RH group, all surgical procedures were performed through a single umbilical multichannel port. In the mLPS-RH group, the procedure was completed using a 5-mm umbilical optical trocar and 3 additional 3-mm ancillary trocars, placed suprapubically and in the left and right lower abdominal regions.


RESULTS
There was no difference in clinicopathologic characteristics at the time of diagnosis between the LESS-RH and mLPS-RH groups. Median operative time was 270 minutes (range, 149-380 minutes) for LESS-RH, and was 180 minutes (range, 90-240 minutes) for mLPS-RH (p = .001). No further differences were detected between the 2 groups insofar as type of radical hysterectomy, number of lymph nodes removed, or perioperative outcomes. In the LESS-RH group, conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 1 patient (5.3%) because of external iliac vein injury, and in another patient, conversion to standard laparoscopy was required because of truncal obesity. In the mLPS-RH group, no conversions were observed; however, a repeat operation was performed to repair a ureteral injury. The percentage of patients discharged 1 day after surgery was significantly higher in the LESS-RH group (57.9%) compared with the mLPS-RH group (25.0%) (p = .03). After a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 9-73 months), only 1 patient, who had undergone mLPS-RH, experienced pelvic recurrence and died of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Both LESS-RH and mLPS-RH are feasible ultra-minimally invasive approaches for performance of radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection. Further technical improvements are required to enable wider use of these techniques for more complex procedures.
Division of Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgery, St. Maria Hospital, University of Perugia, Terni, Italy. Electronic address: annafagotti@libero.it.
Anna
A
Fagotti
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Fabio
F
Ghezzi
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
David M
DM
Boruta
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Scambia
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, HIMA-San Pablo, Caguas, Puerto Rico; Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
Pedro
P
Escobar
The Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
Amanda N
AN
Fader
Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center, Malzoni Medical Center, Avellino, Italy.
Mario
M
Malzoni
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Fanfani
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007558:Italy; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
Early-stage cervical cancer; Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery; Minilaparoscopic surgery; Radical hysterectomy