Laparoscopic systemic restaging surgery for women with unexpected uterine malignancy

Objective We investigated the feasibility of laparoscopic restaging surgery in patients with unexpected uterine cancer. Methods This retrospective study included eight patients who underwent laparoscopic restaging surgery for Iran University uterine cancer after a prior hysterectomy or myomectomy. Results The median age of the patients and their body mass index were 55 years (range, 44–78) and 23.8 kg/m2 (range, 20.75–31.89), respectively. The median interval between the prior hysterectomy and the restaging surgery was 21 days (range, 10–35). The median operating time and time for the return of bowel activity were 325 minutes (range, 200–475) and 35 hours (range, 18–50), respectively. The median numbers of harvested pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes were 17.5 (range, 14–29) and 20.5 (range, 7–36), respectively. In seven of the eight patients, uterine extraction was performed with vaginal or electronic morcellation. The final International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was IA in all patients. Intraoperative and postoperative complications did not occur in any of the patients, except for the need for transfusion. Patient 4 had synchronous primary cancer (stage IA) of the endometrium and left ovary. Two of the eight patients with clear cell carcinoma received chemotherapy, and none received radiotherapy. All patients survived without disease recurrence. Conclusion Restaging surgery might be necessary for highly selective patients with unexpected uterine malignancies. This would be an alternative surgical modality for complete staging and planning tailored adjuvant treatments. However, lymphadenectomy might not be performed in patients with early uterine cancer.