Pelvic exenteration – our initial experience in 15 cases

Objective: To analyse the initial experience of pelvic exenteration for gynaecological malignancies in a tertiary referral center. Materials and Methods: Between 2011 and 2013, 15 patients underwent a pelvic exenteration for gynaecological malignancies. Results: Out of the 15 exenterations, six were total, four anterior, and five posterior. The indication was cervical (nine patients), advanced vaginal (one patient), and ovarian cancer (in five patients). A Bricker non-continent ileal urinary conduit was performed in all ten anterior and total exenterations. In-hospital complications occurred in six patients (40%) of whom two perioperative deaths (13%). Among the 15 patients, at this moment, eight are alive and six died because of the disease, and one was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Pelvic exenterantion for recurrent or advanced pelvic malignancies can be associated with long-term survival and even cure without high perioperative mortality in properly selected patients. However, postoperative complications are common and can be lethal.

Pelvic exenteration; Gynecologic malignancies; Perioperative mortality.

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