In February 2023, the Gynecologic Oncology Unit at Clinaltec performed the first endoscopic inguinofemoral lymph node dissection in Tolima.
The procedure was performed by doctors Abel Merchán and Angélica Fletcher, and was applied in the management of early-stage vulvar squamous cell carcinoma—a pathology with a low incidence compared to other gynecological cancers, and precisely for that reason less frequent to treat in the region.
What changes compared to open surgery
Inguinofemoral lymph node dissection consists of removing the lymph nodes from the groin region to determine whether the tumor has spread. Performed via an open approach, it requires a large incision in an area of difficult healing, with a risk of wound complications and prolonged recovery times.
By endoscopy, access is achieved through minimal incisions. This reduces surgical trauma, decreases wound complications, and shortens recovery, without sacrificing the oncological objective of the procedure: to obtain the same material for pathological study.
For the region, the procedure marks the local availability of a technique that until then involved referring the patient outside the department.
The event in the media
The procedure was covered by El Olfato.
This article was written by Clinaltec S.A.S. using its own information. The links lead to the original publications of each media outlet.
