LAPAROSCOPIC STAGING OF THE PATIENT WITH INCOMPLETELY STAGED EARLY ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE ENDOMETRIUM

Objective: To determine the feasibility of laparoscopic staging in pat ients with presumed early stage but incompletely surgically staged ade nocarcinoma of the endometrium. Methods: Thirteen patients with incomp letely staged adenocarcinoma of the endometrium underwent laparoscopic staging. The women ranged in age from 36-74 years (mean age 64) and w eighed 132-201 lb (mean 147.5). The interval between hysterectomy and laparoscopic staging ranged from 14-63 days, for an average of 47. All patients underwent inspection of the entire intraperitoneal cavity, p rocurement of pelvic washings, and/or pelvic or para-aortic lymphadene ctomy, and two patients had remaining ovaries removed. Results: Extrau terine disease was found in three patients: One had intraperitoneal wa shings positive for adenocarcinoma, and two had pelvic lymph nodes pos itive for microscopic carcinoma. The average number of lymph nodes rem oved was 17.5. There were no intraoperative complications. Estimated b lood loss averaged less than 50 mL, and the mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. Conclusion: Our initial experience indicates that this is a saf e, effective procedure that offers a short hospital stay. We consider laparoscopic staging an attractive option for some patients with incom pletely staged early adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.