Laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy: a new minimally invasive technique to treat vulva carcinoma

Purpose: At present, there are no clear guidelines for the treatment of the patients with vulva carcinoma. The aim of this study was to examine our experience with laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy in women with vulva cancer. Methods: From November 2010 to December 2013, 15 patients with vulvar carcinoma underwent laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy following radical local vulvectomy or, pelvic lymphadenectomy if necessary. Results: All patients underwent abdominal endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy. The median age was 50.7 years (range 31-73) and the mean weight was 45.7 kg (range 39.5-63). Mean operative time was 91 minutes (range 80130) with amedian estimated blood loss of approximately 6.3 mL (range 5-10 ), and the mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 7.4. Mean time of the drainage tube removal was 6.7 days. At the follow up of 4-41 months, 4 patients exhibited inguinal lymph nodes metastases, 1 women with diabetes mellitus demonstrated vulvar wound infection, necrosis and dehiscence but without wound dehiscence in inguinal region. No skin necrosis was observed in inguinal region for all patients. Conclusion: The preliminary results reveal that radical vulvectomy combined with laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible technique that appears to diminish the woundrelated complications and sequelae in patients with vulvar carcinoma.