Novel technique for the complete staging of endometrial cancer by single-port laparoscopy

Abstract

ObjectiveOur aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel technique using single-port laparoscopy for the complete surgical staging of endometrial cancer. MethodsTotal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed using a single-port device in two steps: first, a retroperitoneal para-aortic dissection was conducted, followed by a transperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy and a total hysterectomy. Conventional laparoscopic instruments were used in all cases. Perioperative details were collected. ResultsFour consecutive patients with endometrial cancer underwent single-port laparoscopic staging procedure. All cases were high-risk endometrial cancers (two FIGO stage IA and two IB). Histologic types included three adenocarcinomas and one carcinosarcoma. The median operating time was 280min (ranged 240–320min), and the median length of stay was 3.5days (ranged 3–6days). No complications or conversion to conventional multiport laparoscopy were reported. ConclusionsSingle-port laparoscopic surgical staging for endometrial cancer is a feasible procedure, even when the procedure included a para-aortic lymph node dissection.