Surgical management of stage IB-IIA cervical carcinoma

The standard surgical approach to Stage IB and IIA cervical cancer consists of a radical hysterectomy, lower peri-aortic lymphadenectomy, and complete bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. This approach offers 5-year survival rates of 75% to 90% in most large series, which is equivalent to the radiotherapeutic treatment of this disease. Over the last 50 years, this classic surgical approach has undergone only minor modifications. The present day complication rate remains low, and is comparable to that of radiotherapy. This article will summarize the current indications, pre-, intra-, and post-operative management of this disease.