The Author analyses the rationale for operative staging in cervical carcinoma. First-instance surgery in the treatment of this neoplasia can be merely exploratory, when during the operation radical removal of the neoplasia appears to be technically impossible. It can nevertheless identify the surgical stage, make lymphnodal histological control possible and detect target volumes for subsequent radiotherapy. In technically operable cases thanks to primary surgery not only can the primitive focus be controlled but through the pathologic study of the surgical specimen factors of risk for local or loco-regional relapse can be detected thus directing the planning of metasurgical radiotreatment.