Combined panniculectomy and surgical staging of endometrial cancer: the Northern Ireland experience

Background: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in the Western world and has a strong association with obesity. The incidence of endometrial cancer is rising and can be attributed, in part, to the ongoing obesity epidemic. The surgical management of endometrial cancer in women with class III obesity, defined as those with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m, can be particularly challenging. Case(s): We report the early experience of panniculectomy as an adjunct to endometrial cancer staging surgery in Northern Ireland (NI). We outline the generic surgical approach and report the outcomes of the first four cases undertaken. We discuss the important role that panniculectomy holds in the surgical management of endometrial cancer in women with III obesity. Conclusion: The initial experience, in NI, of panniculectomy as an adjunct to endometrial cancer staging surgery greatly facilitated surgical exposure and allowed adequate surgical staging to be performed. In carefully selected cases, the surgical procedure can be completed safely and effectively with greater ease.