Comparison of laparoscopic and conventional surgery in the treatment of early cervical cancer

Abstract

Study objective: To compare efficacy, results, and complications of laparoscopic-assisted radical hysterectomy (LARH) and pelvic lymphadenectomy with abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) and pelvic lymphadenectomy in management of early (stages 1a2, 1b) invasive cervical carcinoma.

Design: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Patients: Sixty women enrolled for radical hysterectomy as most appropriate primary treatment.

Intervention: Radical hysterectomy performed by laparoscopy or laparotomy.

Measurements and main results: Thirty patients each underwent LARH and ARH. The groups did not differ in terms of age, weight, disease stage, operating time, and hospital stay. Mean blood loss was 962 +/- 543 ml for ARH and 450 +/- 284 ml for LARH. No laparoscopic procedure was converted to laparotomy. There was no significant difference in intraoperative and postoperative complications. There was no significant difference in recurrence rates.

Conclusion: LARH with pelvic lymphadenectomy does not increase recurrence rates and morbidity when performed by experienced endoscopists and oncologists.