Comparison of the two routes of video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy in vulvar cancer: a systematic review and a single-center experience

Abstract

Background: Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) has fewer complications than open surgery for vulva cancer. No high-level evidence comparing the efficacy and safety of the two routes of VEIL (VEIL-H and VEIL-L) is available. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search for reports on VEIL for vulva cancer from 2000 to 2020 and reviewed our experience. Data extraction includes patients' characteristics, perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, and cancer recurrence.Results: A total of 11 eligible studies were included in the systematic review. Nine studies included only one route of VEIL, and the other two studies directly compared the two routes of VEIL. The average operation time of the VEIL-L group was 85 (range, 33-180.12) minutes, and that of the VEIL-H group was 112 (range, 35-170.79) minutes. The average blood loss of the VEIL-L group was 9 (range, 5-30) mL, and that of the VEIL-H group was 96 (range, 5.5-214.8) mL. The average number of intraoperatively removed lymph nodes in the VEIL-L group was 9 (range, 7.5-13.2), and that in the VEIL-H group was 14 (range, 9.5-16). No significant difference was observed in the cancer recurrence rate between the two groups. We found similar results in our cohort study. Conclusions:The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and time of drainage of the VEIL-L procedure seemed less than those of the VEIL-H procedure. VEIL-L and VEIL-H were equivalent in the efficacy of lymph node dissection, surgery-related complications, and cancer recurrence rate.