OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy (NPSRH) and compare with that of open NPSRH.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-four patients with FIGO stage Ib1-IIa2 cervical cancer were enrolled in the study. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic NPSRH. During the operation, the pelvic autonomic nerve plane which is directly underneath the ureter was integrally preserved by dissecting the pelvic spaces laparoscopically. The vessels around the nerve plane were controlled by Hem-o-lok polymer clips. One hundred and one patients underwent open NPSRH without special instruments. The clinical, pathological and surgery-related parameters were compared between the two groups. Moreover, postoperative short-term bladder function of these patients was also analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the laparoscopic group and open group in terms of age, body mass index, previous surgery, FIGO stage, pathologic type, etc. (P > 0.05). The mean duration of surgery in the laparoscopic group was significantly longer [(303.8 ± 67.5) min vs. (272.4 ± 57.5) min] (P < 0.01). But, the laparoscopic group had less blood loss [177.0 ml vs. 474.5 ml, P < 0.01] and blood transfusion rate [ 6.1% (2/33 cases) vs. 49.5% (50/101 cases), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference regarding the proportion of patients who firstly passed the post-void residual urine volume (PVR) test (P > 0.05). The median time of catheterization between the two groups were also comparable (P > 0.05). However, the postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group [median postoperative hospital stay 9.2 days vs. 11.0 days, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic NPSRH is feasible. It seems to be comparable with open NPSRH in terms of preserving pelvic nerve function, but is more favorable in terms of blood loss and postoperative recovery.