ABSTRACT
In patients with gynecologic cancer, prognosis correlates with the extent of the disease according to the established International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification systems. Surgical staging is superior because it provides histologic verification of tumor extent. Lymph node status is one of the most important prognostic factors in gynecologic cancer, and surgical removal of pelvic and/or paraaortic lymph nodes for histologic assessment is part of staging gynecologic malignancies. Additionally, removal of bulky lymph nodes may have therapeutic benefit. Lymphadenectomy has generally been performed via laparotomy, leading to large incisions and significant intra- and perioperative morbidity.
