Feasibility and early oncologic outcomes of Total Intracorporeal Robotic Radical Hysterectomy with Vaginal Cerclage (TIRRHVC) for the treatment of clinical stage IB cervical cancer: A tumor containment technique

Introduction

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (MIRH) has been reported to have a four-fold increase in recurrence compared to open radical hysterectomy (ORH) for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. The cause for the inferior outcomes with MIRH is unclear. However, the use of a uterine manipulator and the lack of tumor containment strategies may contribute to tumor seeding in previous MIRH approaches.

Objective

Determine the feasibility and early oncologic outcomes of a novel robotic-assisted surgical technique for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer, Total Intracorporeal Robotic Radical Hysterectomy with Vaginal Cerclage (TIRRHVC).

Methods

Retrospective cohort study.

Results

Twenty-six patients between 2018 and 2022 underwent the TIRRHVC procedure after being counseled on the risks and benefits of ORH and TIRRHVC; these 26 patients’ demographics, clinical, surgical, and oncologic outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients (65.4 %) had clinical stage IB1 and 9 (34.6 %) were IB2 cervical cancer according to FIGO 2018 guidelines. Following hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy, 4 patients were upstaged. The average pathologic tumor size was 2.66 cm (0 cm – 5.6 cm); 65 % of tumors were > 2 cm. There were no intraoperative complications. There were 13 postoperative complications, including 10 urinary tract infections. Eleven patients (42.3 %) received adjuvant therapy. The average follow-up period was 2.8 years (IQR 2.3–3.6). Only one patient has recurred at 3.6 years. One patient expired from causes unrelated to gynecologic cancer. The 3-year disease free survival is 95.5 %.

Conclusion

These promising early oncologic outcomes are encouraging that TIRRHVC may be a treatment option that offers the benefits of minimally invasive surgery without compromising oncologic outcomes.