Single-port Robotic Pelvic Bulky Lymph Node Resection: A Case Report

Study objective: To report the feasibility of bulky pelvic lymph node resection with robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy in a patient with cervical cancer before chemoradiation therapy.

Design: Resection of pelvic bulky lymph nodes with a narrated video of da Vinci single-port platform surgery (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) (Canadian Task Force classification III).

Setting: Although not enough evidence exists to reveal that single-site surgery is better than traditional endoscopic surgery, several studies have suggested that single-site robotic surgery has certain advantages such as less postoperative analgesic use, shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery. Furthermore, robotic single-site surgery has evolved single-site procedures. Compared with the single-port laparoendoscopic procedure, the robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopic procedure offers some advantages to minimally invasive surgery such as greater dexterity, 3-dimensional visualization, and fewer instrument clashes. These advantages make robotic single-port surgery more preferable; nevertheless, the lack of articulating instruments and the low quality of optical exposure are still challenges. Robotic single-port pelvic lymphadenectomy was first described by Tateo et al [1] in an endometrial carcinoma patient. We present a robotic single-port pelvic bulky lymph node resection in an advanced cervical cancer patient. Even though current data are controversial about removing bulky lymph nodes in patients with advanced cervical cancer, some studies have recommended that debulking of tumor-involved lymph nodes before chemoradiation may be benefical for these patients (Leblanc et al [2], Marnitz et al [3]). In our case, the patient underwent robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy using the da Vinci Single-Site platform. The abdominal cavity was insufflated from a 3-cm umblical incision, and a 5-lumen single port was inserted. Then, an 8.5-mm 3-dimensional camera was inserted through the port, and for dissection and resection 5-mm bipolar fenestrated forceps and a monopolar hook were used. After resection, the bulky lymph nodes were taken out with an endoscopic bag through the assistant port lumen. Additionally, it is important to remember that single-site procedures are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for lymphadenectomy.

Patients: A 46-year-old patient diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique stage IIIB) presented with bilateral pelvic lymph node metastasis revealed by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had no history of prior surgery or comorbidity. We decided to perform resection of the pelvic lymph nodes with a robotic-assisted single-site laparoscopic procedure before chemoradiation threapy.

Interventions: Excision of pelvic bulky lymph nodes using robotic-assisted single-port laparoscopy.

Measurements and main results: The total operating time was 170 minutes (from docking to the end of the extubation), the estimated blood loss was 30 mL, and no complications occurred. The patient was discharged the day after surgery. The histopathologic examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma metastasis.

Conclusion: Robotic-assisted single-port surgery seems to be an applicable and alternative technique to perform the resection of bulky pelvic lymph nodes in patients with advanced cervical cancer before chemoradiation therapy.