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.

Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; surgery

BACKGROUNDNerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) was developed in an attempt to minimize complications after radical hysterectomy. Since 2008, a modified NSRH-nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy (NPSRH) has been developed at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NPSRH in improving postoperative pelvic visceral dysfunctions.

METHODSEighty-three patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer received NPSRH (the study group) from January 2008 to October 2012. One hundred and sixty-six patients who underwent conventional radical hysterectomy (CRH) were randomly selected as the control group. Age, pathological type and stage were matched between the two groups. The safety of surgery was assessed by duration of operation and blood transfusion rate. Postoperative short-term bladder function was analyzed by duration of catheterization. Long-term bladder, anorectal and sexual function were evaluated with questionnaires.

RESULTSSeventy-eight patients (94.0%) in the NPSRH group and one hundred and sixty patients (96.4%) in the CRH group completed the study. Median follow-up time was 31.9 months and 31.0 months respectively (P = 0.708). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, FIGO stage, pathologic type, preoperative and postoperative therapy (P > 0.05). The blood transfusion rate shared no difference between two groups (P = 0.364). The operation time in the NPSRH group was significantly longer than CRH group (P < 0.01). But the duration of catheterization and hospitalization in the NPSRH group was significantly reduced compared with CRH group (P < 0.01). In addition, the incidence of long-term urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, straining to void, constipation and diarrhea was significantly lower in the NPSRH group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference regarding sexual function (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe current evidence indicated that NPSRH improved long-term bladder function compared to CRH. Moreover, it may improve long-term anorectal function as well.

Anal Canal ; physiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Rectum ; physiology ; Urinary Bladder ; physiology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; surgery