RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY FOR INVASIVE CERVICAL-CANCER - A 25-YEAR PROSPECTIVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE MIAMI TECHNIQUE

Background. The Miami modification of the traditional Wertheim-Meigs radical hysterectomy was used to treat Stage IB-IIA cervical cancer in a 25-year prospective study involving 978 patients. Methods. The modifications included: vaginal reconstruction and closure using bladder and rectosigmoid serosa, retroperitoneal drainage through abdominal suction catheters, and suspension of the denuded ureters with the ipsilateral obliterated hypogastric artery. Results. The overall corrected 5-year survival rate was 90.1%, with a surgical mortality rate of 1.4% and an overall urinary fistula rate of 1.4%. This fistula rate was significantly better than a 4.4% incidence rate in a literature survey. Although not measured, the Miami modification appeared to lengthen the vagina. Conclusions. Therefore, it was concluded that radical hysterectomy with the Miami modifications can be done safely in most patients with Stage IB-IIA cervical cancer.