Objective: To evaluate the correlations between postoperative sequelae and the intervals between conization and subsequent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with cervical cancer.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care university hospital. The medical records of cervical cancer patients undergoing LRH and pelvic lymphadenectomy between April 2005 and August 2011 were reviewed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to time from conization to LRH: group 1 (within six weeks, n = 17), group 2 (> six weeks, n = 38), and group 3 (no previous conization, n = 40).
Results: The three groups showed no significant differences with respect to patient and tumor characteristics, intraoperative variables such as surgical time, blood loss, conversion to laparotomy, and perioperative morbidity, while the complications in group 1 showed a significant difference compared to groups 2 and 3.
Conclusions: LRH is feasible for the treatment of cervical cancer patients with previous conization and the appropriate time interval is after six weeks. A careful separation of the bladder and ureters from the cervix is recommended to minimize morbidity associated with this surgery.