Laparoscopic partial cystectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for urachal adenocarcinoma

Objective To discuss the techniques and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic partial cystectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for urachal adenocarcinoma. Methods From July 2006 to April 2008, 4 patients with urachal adenocarcinoma were managed by the laparoscopic procedure. Three patients were male, the other one was female, with a median age of 51 (range 42 to 66)years. The mean size of tumors was 3.4(rang 1.9 to 5.4)cm in diameter. Three of them were diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma, the other one was adenocarcinoma. There was 1 patient at stage Ⅱ , and the other three as stage Ⅲ according to Sheldon Stage. Four patients were performed by transperitoneal approach. The boundaries of resection were similar to the open surgery, including resection of the tumor with normal margins, the peritoneum lateral to the two medial unbilical ligaments,the posterior sheath of the rectus muscle and the muscle fibers of the rectus muscle below it, and bilateral pelvic lymphanodes. Results The procedure was successfully in all 4 patients, with a mean operative time of 220(range 150 to 350)min, a mean estimated blood loss of 180 (range 120 to 290)ml.No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred, except for an inferior epigastric artery injury in 1 case. The mean postoperative in-dwelling urinary catheter time was 6 (range 5 to 7)d, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 6 (range 5 to 8)d. All 36 resected lymph nodes (range 8 to 11) were negative. At a median follow-up of 25(range 15 to 36) months, there was no evidence of recurrent disease by radiologic or cystoscopic evaluation. Conclusion Laparoscopic partial cystectomy and bilateral extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in selected patients with urachal tumors could be a safe, feasible, minimally invasive procedure. Key words: Laparoscopes;  Urachal carcinoma