A comparative study of 3 surgical methods for hysterectomy with staging for endometrial cancer: robotic assistance, laparoscopy, laparotomy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in women who underwent endometrial cancer staging by different surgical techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred twenty-two women underwent endometrial cancer staging: 138 by laparotomy (TAH); 81 by laparoscopy (TLH) and 103 by robotic technique (TRH). RESULTS: The TRH cohort had a higher body mass index than the TLH cohort (P = .0008). Lymph node yield was highest for TRH (P < .0001); hospital stay (P < .0001) and estimated blood loss (P < .0001) were lowest for this cohort. Operative time was longest for TLH (213.4 minutes) followed by TRH (191.2 minutes) and TAH (146.5 minutes; P < .0001. Postoperative complication rates were lower for TRH, compared with TAH (5.9% vs 29.7%; P < .0001). Conversion rates for the robotic and laparoscopic groups were similar. CONCLUSION: TRH with staging is feasible and preferable over TAH and may be preferable over TLH in women with endometrial cancer. Further study is necessary to determine long-term oncologic outcomes.