Robotic Radical Trachelectomy with Primary Vaginal Closure to Spare Fertility in Young Patients with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to present the surgical technique of robotic radical trachelectomy (RRT) for early-stage squamous cell cervical cancer in women with a desire to preserve fertility.

DESIGN

A surgical case to illustrate the entire surgical technique of RRT and sentinel lymph node dissection. Institutional Review Board approval was not required for this video presentation.

SETTING

University hospital.

INTERVENTIONS: A 30-year-old patient with one child and no medical history. Pap smear and cervical biopsy were in favor of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and a conization procedure allowed the diagnosis of a 15 mm squamous cell carcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] 1B1). An RRT was performed to preserve the fertility of this young patient, after bilateral sentinel lymph node dissection to ensure the absence of nodal metastasis. The trachelectomy specimen was negative at final pathology examination and the disease was confirmed as stage 1B1 (FIGO 2018). There were no surgical complications and no adjuvant treatment was indicated. Fertility-sparing surgery is acceptable for women of childbearing age who want to become pregnant.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is safe, effective, and particularly adapted for women who wish to preserve their fertility without compromising oncological outcomes.1-2 This option may be safely proposed in expert centers for tumors smaller than 2 cm, with primary vaginal closure, and without use of a uterine manipulator.3 Complete information about oncological and obstetrical outcomes is mandatory and patients should agree to comply with a close follow-up protocol.