Comparison study of single-port (Octoport™) and four-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative surgical outcomes and complication rates between single-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy and conventional four-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Between June 2009 and April 2011, 56 patients underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Of these 56 patients, 28 underwent single-port (Octoport™) total laparoscopic hysterectomy and 28 underwent conventional four-port total laparoscopic hysterectomy. We analyzed the following parameters for all the patients: age, body mass index, operative time, blood loss, change in hemoglobin level, vaginal stump suture time and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The general characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. There were no statistically significant differences in blood loss, hemoglobin change, length of postoperative hospital stay and complication rate. However, the mean operative time of the single-port group was significantly longer than that of the four-port group (93.5±24.0min vs. 78.7±17.4min; P=0.011). The operative time for vaginal stump suture was profoundly decreased with experience in the single-port group. CONCLUSION: With the exception of operative time, the surgical outcomes and incidence of complications of the single-port group were comparable to those of the four-port group. However, the operative time decreased in the single-port group with increasing experience.

Laparoscopic second look operation for ovarian cancer: single center experiences.

We compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery with those of laparotomy in second-look operations for ovarian cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 35 patients treated between January 2000 and December 2005. They were categorized into two groups: Laparoscopy versus laparotomy group. Among 35 patients, 18 patients (51.4%) were treated with laparoscopy, and 17 patients (48.6%) were treated with laparotomy. There were no statistically significant differences except for hospital stay (laparoscopy vs. laparotomy five days vs. nine days, p < 0.05). Eight patients (44.4%) in the laparoscopy group and six (35.3%) in the laparotomy group were found to be pathologically positive after the second look operation. There were two recurrences (20.0%) in the laparoscopy group and four (36.4%) in the laparotomy group pathologically negative in the second-look operation (p = 0.557). There were no differences in disease-free survival rates (p = 0.705) between the two groups. The second look operation is an ideal method for histologic comfirmation of recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer. Laparoscopic surgery seems a safe and accurate method for the second-look examination, and can also reduce patient discomfort, hospital stay and morbidity associated with laparotomy.

Oncologic results and surgical morbidity of laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy in the treatment of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer: long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate a long-term follow-up data for oncologic results and surgical morbidity of a laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) in the treatment of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective study that comprised consecutive 125 patients with cervical cancer stage IB1 (n = 105) and IB2 (n = 20) who underwent a laparoscopic NSRH (Piver type III) by a gynecologic oncologist without selecting patients from January 1999 to December 2007. RESULTS: In regression analysis, the operating time (R linear = 0.311, P < 0.001) and estimated blood loss (R linear = 0.261, P < 0.001) were decreased, whereas the number of harvested pelvic lymph nodes (R linear = 0.250, P < 0.001) was increased. Seventeen patients (13.6%, 17/125) were found to have pelvic node metastasis. Para-aortic node metastasis had occurred in 2 patients (5.1%, 2/39). There were high urological complications (13/125, 10.4%) related to radical surgery. Forty-one patients (33%) needed transfusions. Positive surgical margins did not exist. Patients were able to self-void at a mean of 10.3 days postoperatively. The return rates to normal voiding function at postoperative 14 and 21 days were 92.0% and 95.2%, respectively. Thirteen patients (IB1 n = 9, IB2 n = 4) experienced a recurrence postoperatively. Six patients (IB1 n = 3, IB2 n = 3) died of recurrent disease. Five-year disease-free survival rates of cervical cancer IB1 and IB2 were 92% and 78%, respectively (P = 0.1772). Five-year overall survival rates of cervical cancer IB1 and IB2 were 96% and 83%, respectively (P = 0.0437). CONCLUSIONS: A laparoscopic NSRH for FIGO stage IB cervical cancer was comparable to open NSRH in terms of early recovery of bladder function. It did not compromise surgical radicality, but revealed high urological complications, long operating time, and much blood loss, compared with conventional radical hysterectomy. However, these surgical morbidities were corrected with increase in experiences.

Robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy using the da Vinci surgical system. METHODS: Three patients who were diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer underwent robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with bilateral lymphadenectomy from January 2010 to March 2010. The data were compared with those of 4 cases of total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy that were performed from July 2004 to May 2005 and were previously reported. RESULTS: In the robotic group, the mean console time was 275 minutes (range, 240-305 minutes). The mean postoperative hemoglobin change was 0.4 g/dL (range, 0.2-0.6 g/dL). The mean estimated blood loss was 23 mL (range, 15-40 mL), which is less than that of the laparoscopic group. There were no metastases detected in any of the cases, and the resection margins were negative in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The robotic uterine artery preservation and nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy were efficient in reducing blood loss and feasible methods such as other approaches.

Survival benefit of laparoscopic surgical staging-guided radiation therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the survival benefit of laparoscopic surgical staging (LSS)-guided tailored radiation therapy (RT) in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 89 LACC patients' medical records who primarily received non-surgical treatment, of which pretreatment LSS was performed in 20 (LSS group) and primary chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) without LSS (CCRT group) was carried out in 69 from January 2000 to January 2006. We analyzed clinical characteristics, pretreatment imaging study results and survival outcomes including disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) to compare them between the two groups. RESULTS: There were as many as eight cases (40%) of LSS related complications. The mean time interval between LSS and RT or CCRT was 26.6 days (±18.8 days). Six out of twenty (30%) in LSS group and 10 out of 69 (14.5%) in CCRT group received extended field RT when paraaortic lymph nodes (LNs) were positive based on the pathologic findings after LSS and the results of imaging studies, respectively. Three-year DFS and OS were both better in 33 imaging-negative CCRT group patients than those in 4 imaging-negative/pathology-positive (false negative) patients after LSS (3-year DFS, 50% vs. 87%, p=0.022; 3-year OS, 50% vs. 84%, p=0.033). The 5-year DFS rates were 52% and 55% in LSS group and in CCRT group, respectively (p=0.28). The 5-year OS rates were 68% in LSS group and 62% in CCRT group without significant difference between the two groups (p=0.79). CONCLUSION: We found that LSS-based RT tailoring did not show survival benefit in LACC despite inaccuracy of imaging-based RT tailoring. Further studies are required to find new method to overcome this inaccuracy and improve survival outcomes.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery using a 2-mm miniport: initial gynecologic experience performed by a standard trocar and instruments.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and patients' satisfaction of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) with a 2-mm miniport using a standard trocar and instruments. METHODS: Between November 2008 and October 2009, we performed LESS for benign gynecologic conditions with a 2-mm miniport in 61 patients. Only 1 case was converted to conventional laparoscopic surgery using three ports to perform an appendectomy. The level of satisfaction of the patients was surveyed with five scales ("very satisfied," "satisfied," "not sure," "unsatisfied," and "very unsatisfied"). RESULTS: The mean operative time was 46.6 +/- 20.7 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 8.9 +/- 7.4 mL. The length of the hospital stay postoperatively averaged 1.8 +/- 0.9 days. No complications that required treatment occurred. Among 60 patients, 52 patients (87%) responded to the survey. Thirteen patients (25%) were "very satisfied," 29 patients (56%) were "satisfied," 8 patients (15%) were "not sure," and 2 patients (4%) were "unsatisfied." Forty-two patients (81%) had a positive perception of the surgery. Forty-nine patients (94%) responded that they were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSION: LESS with a 2-mm miniport is a feasible and safe treatment modality for benign gynecologic diseases without incurring additional costs. Moreover, the cosmetic results were excellent.

The effect of nonperitonization and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for minimizing the incidence of lymphocyst formation after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical effect of nonperitonization and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy using bipolar electrocautery after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared with peritonization and open lymphadenectomy using monopolar electrocautery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 180 patients who underwent a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) for cervical cancer from August 1998 to August 2007. The patients were composed of the Peritonization + Laparotomy group (group A; n = 98, 196 PLND) and the Nonperitonization + Laparoscopy group (group B; n = 82, 164 PLND). Group B left the peritoneum in front of the PLND open. Two closed-suction drains were placed at each side of the PLND. RESULTS: Group B statistically showed a lesser total amount of lymphatic drainage (P = 0.001), shorter duration of inserted drains (P < 0.001), and shorter length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), compared with group A. The formation of lymphocysts occurred in 30 patients (41 lymphocysts) of group A and 5 patients (5 lymphocysts) of group B. Lymphocyst formation of group B had a statistically lower incidence than that of group A (P < 0.001). Lymphocyst formation was associated with an increase in the total amount of lymphatic drainage in group A (P = 0.090) and group B (P = 0.041) and a pathologic type of adenocarcinoma in group B (P = 0.016). Surgical experiences were not correlated with lymphocyst formation. CONCLUSIONS: The omission of peritonization and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy using bipolar electrocautery in early-stage cervical cancer were more effective than peritonization and open lymphadenectomy using monopolar electrocautery in minimizing the incidence of lymphocyst formation.

Laparoscopic pelvic anatomy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

Many reports regarding nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy have been published. However, most reports have been based on systematic descriptions via laparotomy or cadaver dissection. The aim of this work was to describe the pelvic anatomy of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy via laparoscopy, with specific focus on the inferior hypogastric plexus. This study is based on 125 patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer who had undergone laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomies since 1999. The inferior hypogastric plexus was demonstrated via laparoscopy and was comprised of afferent fibers from the sacral root (S2, S3, and S4), sacral sympathetic ganglion, and hypogastric nerve, and efferent fibers forming its vesical, uterovaginal, and rectal branches. During the dissection of the posterior leaf of the vesicouterine ligament, various vesical veins were identified. If the cut edge of an inferior vesical vein was pulled medially with upward traction, the vesical branches of the inferior hypogastric plexus were exposed and these were divided into medial and lateral branches. The magnified view of laparoscopy made it possible to dissect nerves and vessels meticulously and to secure a clear resection margin during the dissection of the deep part of the cardinal ligament, uterosacral ligament, and posterior leaf of the vesicouterine ligament.

Learning curve of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the early and locally advanced cervical cancer: comparison of the first 50 and second 50 cases.

BACKGROUND: To compare the surgical and oncological outcomes and morbidity of the first 50 cases treated by laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with those of the second 50 cases. METHODS: Between October 1994 and January 2004, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 100 consecutive patients (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IA2 [n = 12], IB1 [n = 56], IB2 [n = 15], IIA [n = 15], and IIB [n = 2]) who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. One hundred patients were divided into the first 50 cases (group 1) and second 50 cases (group 2). RESULTS: Operating time, length of hospital stay, time to normal residual urine, and transfusion rate significantly decreased, and the acquired number of pelvic nodes significantly increased when comparing group 1 with group 2. The intraoperative and postoperative complication rates profoundly decreased in group 2 as compared with group 1. After a median follow-up of 66.5 months, 10 patients had a recurrence, 9 of whom died. The 5-year overall survival rates were 96% in group 1 and 90% in group 2, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 92% in group 1 and 90% in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is a feasible and safe treatment modality in early and even locally advanced cervical cancer without decreasing survival. Surgical outcome was improved with experience, and the complication rate related to operation of group 1 was higher than that of group 2. There was no significant difference in survival between the 2 groups.

Total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and operative morbidity of a total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Between July 2004 and May 2005, this procedure had been undergone to four consecutive young patients with early cervical cancer (one with stage IA2, three with stage IB1). It was distinguished from the conventional radical trachelectomy in that it consisted of a reanastomosis of uterine corpus and upper vagina via laparoscopic approach, and an autonomic nerve-sparing dissection under the magnified laparoscopic view. RESULTS: The mean operative time and blood loss was 250 minutes and 185 mL, respectively. The pathologic diagnosis was all squamous cell carcinoma. There were no node metastasis and cancer-free cervical margin. Any wound defect and leakage from a stump were not found. There were no neurologic impairments such as bladder hypotonia. The mean follow-up period was 34 months. Only one patient (Case 1) received concurrent chemo-radiation due to recurrence, followed by no further sign of progression. Unfortunately, there has not been any pregnancy yet. CONCLUSION: A total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical trachelectomy is feasible and without any increase of morbidity, and has the potential to improve surgical outcomes, compared with a conventional radical trachelectomy.

Laparoscopic resection of schwannoma in the anomaly of obturator nerve.

Most retroperitoneal schwannomas are benign tumors originating from schwann cells and are relatively rare, especially schwannomas arising in the obturator nerve. In this paper, we describe a 44-year-old woman with a retroperitoneal schwannoma in the anomaly of the obturator nerve, which was treated by laparoscopy without any complications.