LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY WITH LOW PARAAORTIC, SUBAORTIC AND PELVIC LYMPHADENECTOMY - RESULTS OF SHORT-TERM FOLLOW-UP

OBJECTIVE: To describe a detailed operative procedure for type III lap aroscopic radical hysterectomy with bilateral low paraaortic, subaorti c and pelvic lymphadenectomy STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1992 and De cember 1995, eight patients with cervical carcinoma IA2 or IB1 underwe nt laparoscopic radical hysterectomy at China Medical College Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan, X.O.C. The procedure of laparoscopic radical hyste rectomy was separated into eight segmental steps. RESULTS: No major co mplications, including ureteral injury and lymphocyst formation, were noted in any case. Mean hospitalization was 6.5 days. The follow-up pe riod ranged from 16 to 62 months. Only one case recurred, in the lung. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy is a safe procedure. A complete pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy and type m radical hyst erectomy can be performed laparoscopically. This approach allows short er hospitalization and carries less morbidity than the open type. Shor t-term follow-up (1.3-5.1 years) indicated a favorable prognosis.