Laparoscopic ovarian transposition in young women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated by primary pelvic irradiation

Objective: To report the authors’ experience with laparoscopic ovarian transposition and ovarian function preservation in young women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated by primary pelvic irradiation Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven premenopausal patients were treated with radiotherapy for a cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Laparoscopic ovarian transposition to paracolic gutters with uterine conservation with pelvic common iliac lymph node and para-aortic lymph node sampling were performed in ten patients at the same time of laparoscopic ovarian transposition. Preservation of ovarian function was assessed by patients’ symptoms and serum follicle-stimulating hormone level. Results: Bilateral or unilateral laparoscopic ovarian transposition was performed in 27 patients: 22 cases Stage IIB, one case Stage IIIA, and four cases Stage IIIB. No immediate intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. Two of the ten patients were confirmed by lymph node metastases. One patient was lost to follow-up. Ovarian preservation was achieved in 18 (69.2%) of 26 patients. No patient was detected with ovarian metastasis at follow-up. Conclusions: Laparoscopic ovarian transposition is a safe and effective procedure for preserving ovarian function. This procedure may be considered in premenopausal women who need to undergo pelvic irradiation for cervical squamous cell carcinoma, especially for those less than 40 years of age. Otherwise, para-aortic lymph node or common iliac lymph nods sampling at the same time of laparoscopic ovarian transposition may preferably guide radiation therapy.

Ovarian transposition; Squamous cell carcinoma; Pelvic irradiation; Laparoscopy.

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