Laparoscopic trachelectomy for persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis after supracervical hysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the safety of laparoscopic removal of the cervical stump after supracervical hysterectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective review of six cases. SETTING: Center for Special Pelvic Surgery, a tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): Between August 1993 and December 1995, six patients underwent laparoscopic removal of the cervical stump. Their mean age was 43.1 years (range 32 to 56 years). All women had pelvic pain, and one had abnormal bleeding. Three patients had histories of severe endometriosis only, one had extensive endometriosis with adhesions, one had severe adhesions and leiomyomas, and one had all three conditions at hysterectomy. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic trachelectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Laparoscopic findings and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULT(S): The mean blood loss was 100 mL (range 50 to 200 mL). There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION(S): Cervical stump removal can be accomplished laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon.