Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background Laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy is a procedure performed for staging purposes. Retroperitoneal approach is an alternative approach, potentially superior to intraperitoneal regarding bowel dysfunction and hemorrhage. Main purpose of the present study was to present the main intraoperative, postoperative and short-term survival outcomes of first relative cases treated with this approach in an ESGO-certified Gynecologic Oncology Center.
Methodology Α prospective observational cohort was performed during 2020–2022. Epidemiological, histopathological characteristics and indications of the procedure were reviewed. Primary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative complications, namely hemorrhage, vessel injury, need for transfusion, bowel injury, postoperative bowel dysfunction, perinephral hematoma, total hemoglobin drop, hospitalization duration. Short-term survival outcomes were also reviewed.
Results There were overall 8 cases in which laparoscopic retroperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy was attempted. Median age was 52 years, median BMI 26.4. Indications were restaging for apparent early-stage ovarian cancer (n=3), surgical staging of high-risk apparent early-stage endometrial cancer (n=2), restaging for concomitant early-stage endometrial and ovarian cancer (n=1), staging for apparent advanced-stage cervical (n=1) and staging for potential lymph-node recurrence of previously treated vulvar cancer (n=1). All operations were performed by ESGO-certified physicians (S.P, N=6 and F.G, N=2). Method was abandoned in one case in which diagnostic laparoscopy for apparent early-stage serous endometrial cancer revealed diffuse omental metastasis and conversion was decided. Median surgical time was 135 minutes. Median number of resected nodes was 15. No major intraoperative and postoperative complication was observed. There was only 1 case of subcutaneous hematoma observed on 1st postoperative day, treated conservatively with compression. Median haemoglobin reduction was 2.3 gr/dl. Median hospitalization duration was 2 days. The total of patients remains free of recurrence and alive during follow-up period (5–29 months).
Conclusion Laparoscopic retroperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy is a safe and effective method, which is associated with low rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications along with favorable oncological outcomes.
Disclosures All Authors have nothing to disclose