A retrospective evaluation of early carcinoma of the cervix treated surgically in a Provincial General Hospital.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomy for stage I and IIA carcinoma of the cervix performed at a Provincial General Hospital in Sri Lanka. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 16 cases managed from January 1992 to March 1993. SETTING: Provincial General Hospital in Sri Lanka. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with either stage I or IIA carcinoma of the cervix were subjected to Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomy. All patients opted for surgery over radiotherapy when given the choice. Complications within the first 60 days were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Immediate operative mortality was nil, although two patients had massive haemorrhage during surgery. Injury to the pelvic colon occurred in one patient. Post-operative pyrexia (n = 16), persistent oozing from suction drains (n = 4), prolonged ileus (n = 6) and bladder dysfunction (n = 4) were the immediate post-operative complications. Average post-operative stay in the hospital was 12 days. CONCLUSIONS: Early carcinoma of the cervix treated by Wertheim-Meigs hysterectomy carries a low incidence of immediate post-operative mortality and morbidity when performed with the resources available at a Provincial General Hospital.