Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration: a new option in the surgical treatment of locally advanced and recurrent cervical carcinoma.

Pelvic exenteration is an option in the treatment of persistent or recurrent cervical carcinomas confined to the central pelvis. The improvement of laparoscopic techniques and equipment in combination with broader experience of surgeons in laparoscopy made laparoscopic pelvic exenteration possible. This article reviews present experience with pelvic exenteration and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the method compared to classical method (Tab. 2, Ref. 10).