[The role of pelvic exenteration for the treatment of vulvar cancer].

OBJECTIVES

The pelvic exenteration is a method of treatment in cases of recurrence or locally advanced gynecological tumors without distance metastases. The total pelvic exenteration has been used as salvage therapy especially for advanced gynecological malignancy.

DESIGN

The aim of study was to analyse the group of women who underwent pelvic exenteration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A series of 13 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration for advanced vulvar cancer at the Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Gdańsk Poland between 1996-2003 was retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The more often performed exenteration in patients with vulvar cancer was posterior pelvic exenteration in 11 cases, total pelvic exenteration in 2 cases. The mean age at diagnosis was 56 years. The estimated blood transfusion due to operation ranged from 300 ml to 3580 ml with a mean of 1200 ml. The operating time ranged from 4 hours to 7 hours 30 minutes with a mean of 6 hours and 5 minutes. Patients stayed in hospital from 14 to 54 days after operation with a mean 33 days. The overall complication rate after pelvic exenteration was 61.5% with 8 of the 13 patients. Three times it was infection, six times wound dehiscence, in 1 case it was: ARDS, thrombophlebitis, ureter damage. There was no late complication.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic exenteration offers the last chance for some women with gynecological malignancy.