Pelvic exenteration by robotically-assisted laparoscopy: A feasibility series of 6 cases

After concomitant chemo-radiation therapy, 20 to 30% of advanced cervical cancers recur in irradiated territory. Pelvic exenteration remains a therapeutic option for selected patients. However, this procedure remains complex because of tissue fragility after radiotherapy and their associated co-morbidities. Minimally invasive surgery such as robotically assisted laparoscopy may overcome these surgical challenges. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of pelvic exenteration with robotically assisted laparoscopy. Patients who underwent this procedure between 2015 and 2016 were included. Patients characteristics, treatment indication, intraoperative events, immediate and late complications, and histological outcomes were recorded. The data of 6 patients were analyzed. The primary cancer staging ranged from IB1 to IIB. All cases were loco-regional recurrence and 2 cases presented with with vesico-vaginal fistula. All patients had a history of pelvic irradiation. The mean operative time was 6.7 h. No complications occurred during surgery. The average hospital stay was 11.5 days. Immediate complications were mostly represented by urinary tract infections (4/5). Histological margins were clear in 67% (4/6), and a focal involvement was found in 33% (2/6) of cases. Late complications occurred within 82 days on average and included stenosis of ileal anastomosis, wound infection, acute renal failure, and pulmonary embolism. Revision surgery was necessary in 2 cases. There were 3 local recurrences occurring within an average of 215 days. In the light of these results, pelvic exenteration by robotically assisted laparoscopy may represent a valuable treatment modality of recurrent cervical cancer with low immediate postoperative morbidity.