Laparoscopic Nerve-Sparing Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Carcinoma: Emphasis on Nerve Content in Removed Cardinal Ligaments.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the histopathology of autonomic nerve removal within the cardinal ligaments (CLs), patients' postoperative urinary function, and the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (LNSRH) for treatment of early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

Perioperative and postoperative parameters were compared between patients with biopsy-proven, early-stage cervical carcinoma treated with LNSRH (n = 64) versus those treated with laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH, n = 42) in a retrospective study. Nerves within CLs were identified by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Rates of the following complications were compared: bladder function, sexual dysfunction, and defecation problems.

RESULTS

Duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospitalization, and morbidity did not differ significantly between the LNSRH and LRH groups. Patients who underwent LNSRH had a significantly earlier return of bladder and bowel functions, with an average time to achieve residual urine of 50 mL or less of 10.22 days and a mean first defecation time of 3.58 days. Nerves were observed mainly in the CLs of the LRH group. Disease-free survival rate did not differ between the LNSRH (90.6%) and LRH (88.1%) groups (P = 0.643).

CONCLUSIONS

The LNSRH is a safe, feasible, and easy procedure for trained laparoscopic surgeons. Patients who underwent LNSRH had a more satisfactory quality of life than patients who underwent LRH.