Combined laparoscopic and vaginal surgery for the management of two cases of stage I endometrial cancer

Two postmenopausal patients with stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium who were managed with a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach are presented. Surgical-pathologic staging was performed laparoscopically, with exploration of the abdomen and procurement of peritoneal cytology and pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. The adnexa were ligated and mobilized laparoscopically and removed with the vaginal hysterectomy. This approach offers decreased morbidity to the patient yet still obtains the same pathologic information and surgical goal as the traditional transabdominal approach.