Standardized technique of laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in gynecologic cancer optimizes the perioperative outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

The main objective of this study is to illustrate the effectiveness and the safety of standardized technique of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (LNE), newly introduced in a University Hospital, in patients with gynecologic malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 104 patients with gynaecologic malignancies (71 with endometrial and 33 with cervical cancer), who underwent laparoscopic pelvic with or without para-aortic LNE between September 2008 and March 2010, were analyzed. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TLH & BSO) was the standard approach for patients with endometrial cancer (n = 71), while laparoscopic (nerve sparing) radical hysterectomy (n = 29), laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (n = 2) and radical trachelectomy was the treatment for patients with cervical cancer. All LNE were performed by a learning team under the supervision of an expert surgeon, familiar with the technique.

RESULTS

The median number of pelvic lymph nodes yielded was 22 (range 16-34) and of para-aortic 14 (range 12-24). The mean operative time ± standard deviation for pelvic LNE for each side was 29 ± 17 and 64 ± 29 min for para-aortic LNE. The overall complication rate was 7.6% (n = 8). Two patients were reoperated laparoscopically, one because of postoperative hemorrhage and the other because of lymphocyst formation; laparoconversion was not necessary.

DISCUSSION

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy performed by a learning team with standardized technique is effective with adequate number of harvested nodes, in acceptable operative time and with low rate of perioperative complications.