[External iliac lymphadenectomy by celioscopy: surgical technique].

A complete description is provided of all the various operating steps for external iliac laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. The umbilical artery is easy to identify via laparoscopy and immediately provides the internal boundary for node excision. Laparoscopic vision also enables the other boundaries to be located, that is, the obturator nerve to the bottom and the iliac external and internal bifurcation towards the top. Examination of the nodes thus removed provides a means of assessing the spread of malignancy from cervical and uterine cancers, using a codified operation which can be included during staging or complete cancer surgery.