by Harwood Academic Publishers GmbH Printed in Singapore The Role of Operative Laparoscopy in Gynecologic Oncology

The potential applications of operative laparoscopy have expanded with improvements in technology and instrumentation. With newly developed techniques to complete both pelvic and paraaottic lymph node dissection, the use of the laparoscope has increased in patients with pelvic malignancies. Gynecologic oncologists are currently incorporating the techniques of operative laparoscopy in the management of patients with cervical, endometxial, and ovarian cancer. Multicenter prospective clinical trials are necessary to further define the role of laparoscopy in gynecologic oncology. KEY WORDS: Laparoscopy, gynecologic malignancies, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, laparoscopic surgical staging Historically, the laparoscope has been used for diagnostic purposes and for sterilization procedures. Due to technologic advances, operative laparoscopy now plays a role in the management of a wide variety of benign gynecological conditions including ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, pelvic pain, leiomyomata, and adnexal