[Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer relapse: preliminary study].

Objectives: To determine the feasibility and short and midterm results of laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer relapse. Materials and methods. Five patients with centro-pelvic recurrence within 3 to 13 months after combined chemo-radiation therapy (associated to surgery for two cases) for cervical cancer tumors were included in a pilot study.

Results: The procedures consisted in a complete pelvic exenteration with colo-anal anastomosis and ileal-loop conduit for 2 patients, a posterior pelvic exenteration including uterus, vagina and rectum with colo-anal anastomosis for 1 patient, an anterior pelvic exenteration including bladder and vagina with an ileal-loop conduit for 1 patient and a anterior pelvic exenteration with a laparoscopic hand assisted Miami Pouch for 1 patient. The 5 procedures were successful with no conversion to laparotomy. Time of procedure ranged between 4 h 30 and 9 hours. Average blood loss was 370 cc. Three patients developed metastatic recurrences and died. The two patients with anterior exenteration are alive and free of disease 11 and 15 months after the procedure.

Conclusion: Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration procedures are feasible. A larger series is necessary to determine the advantages of this technique compared to laparotomy.