Radical hysterectomy during the transition period from traditional to nerve-sparing technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare peri- and postoperative data from patients operated on using the new nerve-sparing technique of radical hysterectomy with data gathered from those who underwent traditional radical hysterectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with cervical cancer were included in the study. The study was carried out at a time when the authors had started to perform the nerve-sparing technique by using the descriptions from the literature. During the study period 10 patients underwent the nerve-sparing procedure while the other 10 patients underwent traditional radical hysterectomy. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of mean age, body mass index, FIGO stage, and histological type; additionally, the follow-up period was similar for both groups.

RESULTS: On the one hand, the mean total operative time (197.5+/-51.4 vs. 155.5+/-39.6 min) and the mean time for the hysterectomy itself (154.5+/-35.4 vs. 123.0+/-29.8 min) were significantly longer in the group operated on with nerve-sparing technique (p=0.05). Postoperatively, on the other hand, a post-void residual urine volume of less than 50 ml was noted to occur significantly faster in the patients who had undergone the nerve-sparing technique (3.5+/-1.4 vs. 9.1+/-4.2 days, p=0.00078).

CONCLUSIONS: Although during the introductory period nerve-sparing technique brings about an improvement in voiding function, it prolongs the total operative time in comparison to traditional radical hysterectomy.