Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancers: A review of 16 cases

Objective. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate, in a series of 16 consecutive patients, the technique, feasibility and oncological safety of laparoscopic anterior exenteration for locally advanced pelvic cancers. Study design. Since August 2003, 16 patients with locally advanced pelvic cancer were considered. All patients were in a good general condition, in the age group, of 50-60 years of which 12 had cervical carcinoma and 4 had bladder carcinoma. Results. The median operative time was 180 min. The mean number of harvested pelvic iliac nodes was 14. All margins were tumor-free. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. Three patients had postoperative complications; two had subacute intestinal obstruction and one bad ureteric leak. The median follow-up was 15 months. Conclusions. Our results have demonstrated the feasibility and oncological safety of performing anterior exenteration laparoscopically in advanced pelvic cancer patients with acceptable morbidity. Intermediate-term follow-up validates the adequacy of this procedure. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.