Background:
Evaluation of the impact of a new robotic surgery programme on perioperative outcomes for endometrial cancer
Methods:
A prospective database of all patients undergoing staging for endometrial cancer during july 2007-july 2008 was collected and analysed. demographic data and perioperative outcomes were compared between cases performed via laparotomy, laparoscopy and robotics.
Results:
Sixty-five patients underwent staging during the time of data collection (lap-26, lsc-7, rob-32). no difference in surgical volume in the year before vs. after robotics was identified. median operative time for robotics and laparotomy was significantly less than for laparoscopy (p = 0.023). there was no significant difference in lymph node yields between the three groups (p = 0.92). robotics was associated with significantly less blood loss (p < 0.0001). complication rates were significantly lower in the robotic group compared to the laparotomy group (p = 0.05). median hospital stay was 1 day for the minimally invasive groups. total number of perioperative inpatient days decreased from 331 to 150 in one year. practice management of endometrial cancer transitioned from a predominantly open approach (5.6% lsc) to robotics (11% lsc, 49% rob) within 12 months.
Conclusions:
Robotic surgery dramatically altered our management of endometrial cancer and was associated with a significant improvement in several perioperative outcomes when compared to laparotomy and laparoscopy.