Pelvic exenteration for vulvovaginal carcinoma

Between 1964 and 1978, 16 pelvic exenterations were performed for advanced and recurrent vulvovaginal carcinoma. Eight patients had Stage III carcinoma and four had recurrent vulvar carcinoma. Ten patients had involvement of the anus/sphincter, and two had involvement of the proximal half of the urethra. There were four patients with vaginal carcinoma. Two patients with recurrent vaginal carcinoma had bladder/urethral involvement; one patient each with primary vaginal carcinoma had rectovaginal and vesicovaginal septal disease. Seven patients are alive and free of disease--six for more than 5 years and one for 4 years and 4 months. Three patients died, free of disease, one each of cerebrovascular accident, traumatic subdural hematoma, and pulmonary embolus. One patient died on the ninth postoperative day of aspiration pneumonitis. The absolute 5-year survival rate is 54%.