LAPAROSCOPIC EXTERNAL ILIAC LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION TECHNIQUE

A complete description is provided of all the various operating steps for external iliac laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. The umbilical artery is easy to identify via laparoscopy and immediately provides the inter nal boundary for node excision. Laparoscopic vision also enables the o ther boundaries to be located, that is, the obturator nerve to the bot tom and the iliac external and internal bifurcation towards the top. E xamination of the nodes thus removed provides a means of assessing the spread of malignancy from cervical and uterine cancers, using a codif ied operation which can be included during staging or complete cancer surgery.