Pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies has changed from a random "picking" of some pelvic and aortic lymphnodes to a well-established technique based on adequate knowledge ofthe patterns of spread of the primary tumor. In both cases, strict indications and well-defined boundaries of dissection should be set and a sufficient number of nodes should be removed if the best prognostic information and the maximum therapeutic benefits are to be gained from the procedure.