ABSTRACT
Two groups (group A = 25 cases and group B = 34 cases) of vulvar cancer patients, treated with a modified "butterfly" operation (MBO = group A) and a triple incision (TI = group B) technique, were evaluated retrospectively. The aim was to compare the two operative methods, regarding perioperative morbidity and clinical outcome. The histopathologic and clinical characteristics of the patients were comparable, in the two groups. The hospitalization period was significantly shorter in group B (TI), both when primary (22 vs 34 days, p < 0.01) or secondary (41 vs 55 days, p < 0.05) healing occurred. Local recurrences were quite similar in number (A = 5/25, B = 6/34) and were successfully treated. No relapses in the remaining skin bridges were observed in group B. The overall survival was similar in the two groups (A = 64%, B = 63%). However, LN positive cases had a better (p < 0.05) survival when treated by MBO (48% vs 23%).
