Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Surgical staging is the standard treatment of ovarian cancer. Pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy is the important part of the surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of para aortic lymph node dissection in early stage of patients with ovarian cancer.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional cohort study was performed on all stage I of ovarian cancer patients admitted in department of gynecology oncology of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in November 2012 to March 2014. Every patient with clinical early stage of ovarian cancer candidate to surgical treatment selected. All cases underwent surgical staging surgery with concurrent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. In laparotomy after identification of left and right iliac artery, all lymph nodes have been properly exposed and dissected as a part of a staging laparotomy. The dissection was continued up to the nodal tissues surrounding the aorta, and inferior vena cava, until inferior mesenteric artery lymphadenectomy level. The procedure performed only by gynecologist oncologist. In addition, we assessed other parameters such as operation time, estimated blood loss, associated mortality and morbidity and vascular injuries. Finally, the effect of para aortic lymph node dissection in early stage of ovarian cancer evaluated.

Results: Among a total of 57 ovarian cancer patients, 27 of them apparent stage I disease cases were selected. Surgical staging surgery with concurrent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was carried for all of them. Positive para-aortic lymph node was found only in one case. The average number removed para-aortic lymph nodes in the pelvis was 9 and in para aortic was 7, respectively. In addition, 20 minutes increase in total length of operation time was observed duo to para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Also the rate increase in intra-abdominal hemorrhage rate was estimated 60 ml.

Conclusion: Lymph node dissection will produce a significant benefit in accurate and complete surgical staging. Staging surgery in addition to systematic pelvic and para aortic lymph adenoctomy in early stage ovarian cancer is preferred in gynecologic oncology centers.