Robotic high para-aortic lymph node dissection with high port placement using same port for pelvic surgery in gynecologic cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: This study reports our initial experience of robotic high para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALND) with high port placement using same port for pelvic surgery in cervical and endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: Between July 2013 and January 2014, we performed robotic high PALND up to the left renal vein during staging surgeries. With high port placement and same port usage for pelvic surgery, high PALND was successfully performed without repositioning the robotic column. All data were registered consecutively and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: All patients successfully underwent robotic high PALND, followed by hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. Median age was 45 years (range, 39 to 51 years) and median body mass index was 22 kg/m(2) (range, 19.3 to 23.1 kg/m(2)). Median operative time for right PALND and left PALND was 37 minutes (range, 22 to 65 minutes) and 44 minutes (range, 36 to 50 minutes), respectively. Median number of right and left para-aortic lymph node by pathologic report was 12 (range, 8 to 15) and 13 (range, 5 to 26). CONCLUSION: With high port placement and one assistant port, robotic high PALND with the same port used in pelvic surgery is feasible to non-obese patients.