Robotic single-port hysterectomy, adnexectomy, and lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer

To report the feasibility of performing robotic single-port surgery including pelvic lymphadenectomy in endometrial cancer.

Canadian Task Force III.

A 49-year-old, multiparous patient diagnosed with well-differentiated Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique stage I endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

The patient underwent robotic single-port peritoneal washing, total hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The procedure was performed using the da Vinci Si Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) through a single 2.5-cm umbilical incision. We used a 5-lumen port for single-site instruments, a 3-dimensional high-definition 8.5-mm endoscope, a 5-mm accessory port, and insufflation channel. Monopolar cautery and a bipolar Maryland dissector were used for lymphadenectomy. Vaginal cuff closure was performed using a needle driver and Maryland dissector with V-lock suture. Near the end of the surgery, the 5-mm assistant port was changed with a 10-mm-sized port. Then, a dissected lymph node in an endobag and a needle used in vaginal cuff closure were removed through the 10-mm port.

Total hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed using robotic single-site platform.

The total operative time was 206 minutes. The total vaginal cuff closure time was 22 minutes, and lymphadenectomy took 48 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 100 mL; no intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The total number of excised lymph nodes was 11.

Robotic single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy is feasible. Further studies should be performed to assess the benefits of this procedure.