Follow-up after radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT): patients' problems and physicians' difficulties.

PURPOSE: Patients after radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) need specific follow-up treatment because their problems differ from those of other gyneco-oncologic patients. Anatomic changes after surgery complicate examinations. Recognition and treatment of these issues require physician's expertise.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We evaluated the follow-up data of 70 patients who underwent RVT for early cervical cancer between 03/2010 and 12/2013. The follow-up interval in the first 2 years was 3 and 6 months in the following 2 years. We used a tailored protocol to describe the special problems after RVT.

RESULTS

Cervical stenosis was one of the central problems independent of time interval to RVT. Physicians' most significant problem was to locate the exact position of the neo-cervix and thus to receive valid pap smears.

CONCLUSIONS

Follow-up of patients after RVT needs special expertise because the symptoms differ from those after hysterectomy and examinations ensuring oncologic safety require special attention.