Pneumovaginoscopy-assisted radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer: a novel bidirectional approach for tumor spillage prevention and R0 resection
	    		
		   		
		   			
		   		
	    	
    	- Author:
	        		
		        		
		        		
			        		Masato KITA
			        		
			        		
			        		
			        			1
			        			
			        		
			        		
			        		
			        		
			        		;
		        		
		        		
		        		
			        		Yusuke BUTSUHARA
			        		
			        		;
		        		
		        		
		        		
			        		Yoji HISAMATSU
			        		
			        		;
		        		
		        		
		        		
			        		Takuya YOKOE
			        		
			        		;
		        		
		        		
		        		
			        		Hidetaka OKADA
			        		
			        		
		        		
		        		
		        		
			        		
			        		Author Information
			        		
 - Publication Type:Original Article
 - From:Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2023;34(6):e80-
 - CountryRepublic of Korea
 - Language:English
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		        	Abstract:
			       	
			       		
				        
				        	 Objective:This study evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of pneumovaginoscopy-assisted radical hysterectomy (PVRH) for cervical cancer up to stage IIA using a bidirectional fascia-oriented and nerve-sparing surgical approach. 
				        	
Methods:This retrospective observational cohort study examined the operative outcomes and prognoses of patients who underwent PVRH (n=59) for up to stage IIA cervical cancer. The basic procedure was Kyoto B2 (Viper Type II nerve-sparing) radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy through simultaneous vaginal and abdominal (open or laparoscopic) approaches. In all cases, pneumovaginoscopy (PV) was used to create a vaginal cuff and dissect the paracolpium and paracervical endopelvic fascia to minimize nerve damage.
Results:Thirty-eight (64.4%) patients had stage IB1 cancer. Seven (11.9%) had vaginal invasion (stage IIA1, n=4; IIA2, n=3). The abdominal approach was open in 38 cases and laparoscopic in 21. Adjuvant therapy was administered to 24 patients (41%); one patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy for gastric-type adenocarcinoma. There were three (6.1%) intraoperative complications (CO2 gas embolism [n=1], sigmoid colon musculosa injury [n=1], and ureteral injury [n=1]) and 8 (14%) postoperative complications (lymphedema with cellulitis [n=4], vaginal cuff dehiscence [n=1], sub-ileus [n=1], symptomatic lymphocyst [n=l], and ureterovaginal fistula [n=1]). The median urination recovery period was 3 days. Microscopic R0 was achieved in all cases. The median follow-up was 44.5 (2–122) months, and no recurrence occurred.
Conclusion:PVRH is a new fascia-oriented and nerve-sparing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. Further, it has favorable operative outcomes and good prognoses, similar to those of adjacent pelvic surgery such as trans-anal total mesorectal excision and radical prostatectomy. 
            