[Complications of radical operation of uterine cancer. Closure of the peritoneal defects--yes or no?].

The case reports of 70 patients (including 12 cases of endometrial carcinoma operated by the same method) were evaluated for postoperative complications such as pathological changes in the iv-pyelograms, incidence of haemorrhage or haematomas at the operation site, and for the frequency of lymphatic cysts. In addition, the amount of secretion and the duration of drainage were recorded. In 26 patients, the wounds of the parietal peritoneum were sutured, in 44 women, the pelvic peritoneum was left open after primary occlusion of the vaginal vault. If the two groups are compared with respect to the incidence of complications, the results are: pathologic postoperative ivP: 3.4:1; haemorrhage or haematomas: 5:1; lymphatic cysts: 1.6:1. The duration of drainage was almost the same in both groups (1.1:1), but the amount of liquid drained was less in the peritonealised group (0.5:1). These data and the fact, that the overall morbidity in the "open peritoneum" group was significantly lower, leads us to recommend strongly that leaving the pelvic peritoneum open provides evident advantages compared with the traditional procedure. In addition, a marked reduction of the operation time is achieved. Negative consequences, such as postoperative ileus, did not occur.