Laparoscopic radical trachelectomy for stage Ib1 cervical cancer

Radical trachelectomy by vaginal approach is an alternative for young women with early-stage cervical cancer. We modified this procedure to treat two patients with stage Ib1 cervical cancer. With 100% laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy and 80% laparoscopic approach, the technique is laparoscopic radical trachelectomy (LRT). Under direct enhanced vision of the laparoscope, it is easy to identify and preserve ascending branches of the uterine arteries and to divide ligaments surrounding the cervix and vagina. Vaginal procedures require only colpotomy, amputation of cervix, dividing caudal paracolpium, and corpus-vagina anastomosis. Short-term follow-up results of our first patients are satisfactory. Thus, LRT could be a useful alternative for women with early cervical cancer who want to preserve fertility.