Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and the safety of single-port extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy for patients with gynecologic cancer.

Methods From July 2012 to January 2013, a total of 7 patients with gynecologic cancer underwent a laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy with a single-port device. An extraperitoneal approach was performed for para-aortic lymphadenectomy using only one 2.5-cm incision on the left side. In 6 patients, additionally, hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy with conventional laparoscopy were performed to complete the treatment.

Results Aortic dissection was complete in all cases without complications. The median age of the patients was 63 years (range, 48–78 years), and the median patient body mass index was 31 kg/m² (range, 19–38 kg/m²). The median number of para-aortic nodes was 17 (range, 10–25); the median operative time was 204 minutes (range, 120–300 minutes). The median hospital stay was 4 days (range, 3–6 days). No patient encountered postoperative complications.

Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of single-port laparoscopic extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy.