In vivo confocal laser endomicroscopy during laparoscopy for gynecological surgery: A promising tool

To investigate the technical feasibility of optical biopsy (probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy [pCLE]) during laparoscopy and by the vaginal route in the exploration of pelvic gynecological cancers.

Prospective study including 31 patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy (benign or malignant indication). Confocal microlaparoscopy (analysis of tubes, ovaries, and depending on the type de cancer, pelvic adenopathies) and optical biopsy of the endometrium were first carried out by the vaginal route under general anesthesia. The surgical procedure was then carried out.

Thirty-one consecutive patients were included (16 for benign hysterectomy, 12 for endometrial cancer and 3 for ovarian carcinoma). pCLE offered dynamic pictures that were correlated with the histopathological images.

pCLE provides high resolution imaging of cancerous and benign tissues in real-time similar to histopathological results. Both feasibility and safety were confirmed.