Multi-center experience of robot-assisted laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy for staging of locally advanced cervical carcinoma

Conventional Laparoscopy versus Robotic-Assisted Aortic Lymph-Nodal Staging for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aortic lymph node metastases are a relative common finding in locally advanced cervical cancer. Minimally invasive surgery is the preferred approach to perform para-aortic lymph nodal staging to reduce complications, hospital stay, and the time to primary treatment. This meta-analysis (CRD42022335095) aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of the two most advanced approaches for the aortic staging procedure: conventional laparoscopy (CL) versus robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RAL). The meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline. The search string included the following keywords: "Laparoscopy" (MeSH Unique ID: D010535), "Robotic Surgical Procedures" (MeSH Unique ID: D065287), "Lymph Node Excision" (MeSH Unique ID: D008197) and "Aorta" (MeSH Unique ID: D001011), and "Uterine Cervical Neoplasms" (MeSH Unique ID: D002583). A total of 1324 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, 1200 patients were included in the CL group and 124 patients in the RAL group. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in CL compared with RAL (p = 0.02), whereas hospital stay was longer in RAL compared with CL (p = 0.02). We did not find significant difference for all the other parameters, including operative time, intra- and postoperative complication rate, and number of lymph nodes excised. Based on our data analysis, both CL and RAL are valid options for para-aortic staging lymphadenectomy in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Upstaging by para-aortic lymph node dissection in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Accurate staging of para-aortic nodal status in cervical cancer is of great importance for individualizing treatment and impacting outcomes. Three-dimensional imaging (i.e. PET, CT, MRI) may miss para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastases. The aim of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the proportion of upstaging by PALN dissection in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer without suspicious PALNs on imaging.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched. The analysis included diagnostic studies that reported on 3D imaging and pre-therapeutic surgical assessment of PALN status in patients with cervical cancer. An overall pooled upstaging rate was calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The search identified 16 eligible studies including 18 cohorts with a total of 1530 patients. Pooling of 12 cohorts demonstrated an upstaging rate of 12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10-15%) by PALN dissection after negative PET or PET-CT. Pooling of 6 cohorts demonstrated a pooled upstaging rate of 11% (95% CI: 8-16%) by PALN dissection after negative MRI or CT. No significant heterogeneity in upstaging proportions across cohorts was observed (I² = 0% and 27%, respectively). In 7 cohorts including only patients with pelvic nodal metastases on imaging (but no suspicion of PALN involvement) a pooled upstaging rate by PALN dissection of 21% (95% CI: 17-26%) was found (I² = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates that in case of no suspicious PALN on PET-CT or MRI, PALN dissection still identifies lymph node metastases in a considerable amount of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer and especially in those patients with confirmed pelvic nodal metastases.

Nerve-Sparing Systematic Lymph Node Dissection in Gynaecological Oncology: An Innovative Neuro-Anatomical and Surgical Protocol for Enhanced Functional Outcomes

Whilst systematic lymph node dissection has been less prevalent in gynaecological cancer cases in the last few years, there is still a good number of cases that mandate a systematic lymph node dissection for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In all of these cases, it is crucial to perform the procedure as a nerve-sparing technique with utmost exactitude, which can be achieved optimally only by isolating and sparing all components of the aortic plexus and superior hypogastric plexus. To meet this purpose, it is essential to provide a comprehensive characterization of the specific anatomy of the human female aortic plexus and its variations. The anatomic dissections of two fresh and 17 formalin-fixed female cadavers were utilized to study, understand, and decipher the hitherto ambiguously annotated anatomy of the autonomic nervous system in the retroperitoneal para-aortic region. This study describes the precise anatomy of aortic and superior hypogastric plexus and provides the surgical maneuvers to dissect, highlight, and spare them during systematic lymph node dissection for gynaecological malignancies. The study also confirms the utility and feasibility of this surgery in gynaecological oncology.

Para-aortic lymph node surgical staging in locally-advanced cervical cancer: comparison between robotic versus conventional laparoscopy

OBJECTIVE

With the expansion of the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques within the field of gynecological oncology, a robot assisted procedure seems to be an attractive technique for para-aortic lymph node sampling. The aim of this study was to compare robotic versus conventional laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

METHODS

In this monocentric retrospective study, we included patients with locally-advanced cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IB2-IVA or IB1 with suspicious pelvic lymph nodes), who underwent a para-aortic lymphadenectomy up to the inferior mesenteric artery between December 1994 and December 2016 (robotic technique starting from December 2012).

RESULTS

A total of 217 patients were included in the study (robotic, n=55 vs laparoscopic, n=162). When comparing conventional laparoscopic versus robotic para-aortic lymphadenectomy, the median age was 48 versus 49 years and the median body mass index was 24.4 vs 24.7 kg/m², respectively. In the robotic or laparoscopic group, 85% and 83% were squamous carcinomas, respectively. Patients who underwent a robotic procedure had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (ASA2: 62% vs 56%, ASA3: 20% vs 2%, p<0.001), more prior major abdominal surgery (18% vs 6%, p=0.016), less estimated blood loss (median, 25 mL vs 62.5 mL, p<0.001), more para-aortic lymph nodes removed (11 vs 6, p<0.001), shorter postoperative stay (1.8 vs 2.3 days, p=0.002), and a higher, but non-significant, rate of metastatic para-aortic lymph nodes (13% vs 5%, p=0.065) compared with the laparoscopic procedure, respectively. There was no difference in complication rates between the two approaches. The most frequent complications were grade I and grade II according to the Clavien Dindo classification. No difference was observed in progression-free survival between robotic and laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy after 2 years (both groups 66%) (p=0.472). Also, 2 year overall survival was similar between the groups (77% vs 81% for robotic vs conventional laparoscopy group, respectively) (p=0.749).

CONCLUSION

Robotic para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with locally-advanced cervical cancer resulted in better perioperative outcomes and similar survival outcomes when compared with a conventional laparoscopic approach.

First Robotic SPECT for Minimally Invasive Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping

In this paper we present the usage of a drop-in gamma probe for intra-operative Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging in the scope of minimally invasive robot-assisted interventions. The probe is designed to be inserted and reside inside the abdominal cavity during the intervention. It is grasped during the procedure using a robotic laparoscopic gripper enabling full six degrees of freedom handling by the surgeon. We demonstrate the first deployment of the tracked probe for intra-operative in-patient robotic SPECT enabling augmented-reality image guidance. The hybrid mechanical- and image-based in-patient probe tracking is shown to have an accuracy of 0.2 mm. The overall system performance is evaluated and tested with a phantom for gynecological sentinel lymph node interventions and compared to ground-truth data yielding a mean reconstruction accuracy of 0.67 mm.

Extraperitoneal Robotic-Assisted Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecologic Cancer Staging: Current Evidence

We reviewed the current evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and applicability of extraperitoneal robotic-assisted para-aortic lymphadenectomy (ExtRA-PAL) as the staging procedure of gynecologic malignancies. PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for original studies reporting outcomes of ExtRA-PAL. Quality of the included studies and their level of recommendation were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines, respectively. Overall, 62 studies were identified; after a process of evidence acquisition 5 original investigations were available for this review that included 98 patients undergoing ExtRA-PAL. The main surgical indication was staging for cervical cancer (n = 71, 72%). The mean (SD) number of para-aortic node yielded was 15.4 (±4.7) nodes. Blood transfusion and intraoperative complication rates were 2% and 6%, respectively. ExtRA-PAL was completed in 88 patients (90%). Six (6%) and 4 (4%) patients had conversion to other minimally invasive procedures and open surgery, respectively. Success rate was 99% among patients undergoing ExtRA-PAL without concomitant procedures. Overall, mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 2.8 (±0.5) days. Twenty-four patients (24%) developed postoperative events. According to the Clavien-Dindo grading system, grades IIIa and IIIb morbidity rates were 12% and 2%, respectively. No grades IV and V morbidity occurred. ExtRA-PAL is associated with a high success rate and a relative low morbidity rate. However, because of the limited data on this issue, further studies are warranted to assess the long-term effectiveness of this procedure.

Perioperative morbidity and rate of upstaging after laparoscopic staging for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer: results of a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging for cervical cancer is based on clinical examination. Previous studies have demonstrated significant upstaging with surgical staging. However, no randomized trial has ever shown a survival benefit when radiation combined with chemoradiation (RCTX) is modified according to surgical staging. The objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of surgical staging prior to radical RCTX treatment among patients with locally advanced cervical cancer in the setting of a larger, prospective, randomized study (the Uterus-11 study of the German Gynecologic Oncology Group).

STUDY DESIGN

Between 2009 and 2013, 255 patients with advanced cervical cancer (FIGO IIB-IVA) were randomized to surgical staging and RCTX (arm A) or RCTX (arm B). RCTX in both arms included pelvic external beam radiotherapy with weekly cisplatin at 40 mg/m(2) and brachytherapy. Extended-field radiation was performed in cases of confirmed paraaortic metastases.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty patients were randomized to surgical staging; 121 were eligible for this analysis. The mean patient age was 47.2 years, and the mean body mass index was 26.2 kg/m(2); the FIGO stages were IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and IVA in 85 (70.2%), 4 (3.3%), 29 (24%), and 3 (2.5%) patients, respectively. Arm A and arm B were similar with respect to Karnofsky performance status, histology, comorbidities, and lymphovascular space involvement. The surgical approach was transperitoneal laparoscopy in nearly all patients (93.4%), with no operative mortality. One patient (0.8%) had a conversion to laparotomy; 2 patients had more than 500 mL blood loss; the early postoperative complication rate was 7.3%. A mean of 19 pelvic and 17 paraaortic nodes were removed, with means of 2.4 and 1.3 positive nodes, respectively. RCTX began between 7 and 21 days after surgery. Operative staging led to upstaging in 40 of 121 (33%).

CONCLUSION

Surgical staging in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer is safe and does not delay primary RCTX in a randomized study.

Robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in gynaecological neoplasms: comparison of extraperitoneal and transperitoneal lymphadenectomy

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of our study is to review the till now available literature data on the role of robotic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in gynaecological cancers by comparing the extraperitoneal versus the transperitoneal approach.

METHODS

A thorough and systematic search was performed in electronic databases of PubMed and Scopus.

RESULTS

The extraperitoneal approach is described in 148 patients. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 78 years. The indications included cervical, endometrial and ovarian carcinoma in 113, 22 and 12 patients, respectively. The operative time ranged between 45 and 410 min. The number of dissected lymph nodes ranged from 3 to 25, while only 13 of them were found to be positive. The mean estimated blood loss during the operation was 77 ml (range <50-200 ml). Seven cases were converted to open. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 14 days. The transperitoneal approach is described in 898 patients. The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 89 years. Cervical, endometrial and ovarian carcinomas were the principal neoplasias present in 248, 449 and 164 patients, respectively. The operative time ranged from 19 to 633 min. The number of dissected lymph nodes ranged from 1 to 54, while the total number of patients with positive lymph nodes dissected was 56 patients. The estimated blood loss during the operation varied between 20 and 1800 ml. Only 9 out of 898 patients were converted to open. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 1 to 40 days.

CONCLUSION

A reliable definition of the "kind" of lymphadenectomy used in each study is the first step in order to reach safe conclusions. The lack of comparative studies, especially the randomized ones, cannot help us draw any safe conclusion regarding both the clinical outcomes and the possibility of any superiority of these different approaches (extraperitoneal and transperitoneal).

Robotic Extraperitoneal Paraaortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecological Cancers: Feasibility, Safety, and Short-Term Outcomes of Isolated and Combined Procedures

Objective

The aim of our study was to report the technique, the feasibility, and perioperative results of robotic extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy in gynecological cancers performed for isolated or combined procedures.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 24 consecutive patients undergoing robotic extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy using the Da Vinci Surgical system (Intuitive Inc, Sunnyvale, CA) (cervical cancer, n = 15; high-risk endometrial cancer, n = 8; and ovarian cancer, n = 2, including 1 synchronous tumor). Extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed using the surgical technique previously described by laparoscopy.

Results

Of the 24 included patients, 12 patients had isolated robotic extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy, whereas the others underwent the following associated procedures: total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and omentectomy (n = 7); pelvic transperitoneal lymphadenectomy (n = 3), laparotomic Bricker procedure (n = 1), and colpectomy (n = 1). The median age of patients was 55 (42–64) years, and body mass index was 24.1 kg/m2 (20.9–26.1). The operation was completed in all patients except three with associated procedures. Perioperative difficulties were encountered in 9 patients (gas leakage, n = 7; adhesions, n = 2; and dissection difficulties, n = 1). The number of removed paraaortic lymph nodes was 18 (14–25). The operating times were 180 (150–210) minutes for isolated extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy and 240 (180–300) minutes in case of associated procedures. There were 2 intraoperative (pneumothorax and renal artery injury) and 5 postoperative (3 grades 1–2 and 2 grade 3) complications.

Conclusions

If robotic-assisted extraperitoneal paraaortic lymphadenectomy seems feasible in case of isolated procedure, further studies are required to prove its benefit compared with conventional laparoscopy.

Pretreatment Retroperitoneal Para-aortic Lymph Node Staging in Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Review

Objective

The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety and impact of pretreatment surgical para-aortic lymph node staging (PALNS) in advanced cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2-IVA) and to evaluate the preoperative imaging of PALNs.

Methods

We searched in PubMed and the Cochrane Library to identify data investigating the role of surgical PALNS. Selection criteria included English-language and advanced-stage cervical cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB2-IVA) articles.

Results

Twenty-two articles were included. Para-aortic lymph node metastases were present in 18% (range, 8%–42%) of all patients with cervical cancer stage IB to IVA. The proportions of positive para-aortic nodes on histological analysis with suspicious para-aortic nodes on imaging (positive predictive value) were 20% to 66%, 0% to 27%, 86% to 100%, and 50% to 75% for computed tomographic (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, positron emission tomography (PET), and PET-CT, respectively. The negative predictive values of the imaging techniques were 53% to 92% for CT scan, 75% to 91% for MRI, 87% to 94% for PET, and 83% to 92% for PET-CT. The proportions of histologically proven PALN metastasis with normal findings on imaging were 9% to 35% for CT scan and MRI, 4% to 11% for PET, and 6% to 15% for PET-CT. The mean complication rate of PALNS is 9%, with a range of 4% to 24%, with lymphocysts being the most common complication.

Conclusions

Pretreatment surgical PALN dissection or sampling is feasible, with low complication rates and short delay in starting treatment. Pretreatment PET or PET-CT is the most accurate imaging method in detecting PALN metastases but has limitations detecting microscopic tumor volumes. Even with normal findings on PET-CT, PALN metastases are present in 4% to 15% of patients. Positive PALNs in stage IB2 to IVA cervical cancer will lead to modification of treatment and may lead to better overall and disease-free survival.