Fluorescence-assisted sentinel (SND) and pelvic node dissections by single-port transvaginal laparoscopic surgery, for the management of an endometrial carcinoma (EC) in an elderly obese patient.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility of an oncologically acceptable management for an intermediate-risk endometrial cancer (EC) in an elderly, using the combination of transvaginal single-port laparoscopy and sentinel node policy.

METHODS

For this 85-years old patient, BMI 32kg/m2, with IB grade 2 endometrioid EC, a single vaginal approach was attempted [1] to perform a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpinago-oophorectomy and pelvic node assessment guided by SND [2]. Injections of indocyanine green (ICG) were performed at 3 and 9 o'clock and 2 depths [3] into the uterine cervix A simple vaginal hysterectomy was first performed using a 5mm vessel sealer (LigaSure®-Medtronics) to limit ICG leakage. As poorly accessible, adnexas were divided close to cornuas; uterine corpus was delivered vaginally. Then, a single port device (Gelpoint®-Applied), equipped with 3 trocars for optique and instruments, was installed through vagina. After transvaginal pneumoperitoneum insufflation, bowel loops were cleared from the pelvis. Latero-pelvic peritoneum was incised between external iliac pedicles and ureters. Following the algorithm, node dissection was limited to sentinel node clearly identified on the right side under color-segmented fluorescence (Pinpoint®-Novadaq), but a full pelvic dissection completed an unsatisfactory SND on the left side. Procedure was terminated with salpingo-oophorectomies. After protected vaginal specimen delivery, the single-port device was removed and vagina was closed as usual.

RESULTS

Patient was discharged on the 1st post-operative day. Final pathology confirmed the FIGO stageIB grade2 EC.

CONCLUSIONS

A transvaginal laparoscopic pelvic SND after vaginal hysterectomy is feasible. This single-port "NOTES" strategy bridges the previous gaps of a pure vaginal approach and seems interesting in fragile EC patients.