Comparison of two minimally invasive approaches to endometrial cancer staging: a single-surgeon experience

To compare the clinical outcomes of endometrial cancer staging procedures performed by a single surgeon utilizing traditional and robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques.

A retrospective review of minimally invasive endometrial cancer staging performed by a single surgeon.

There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, surgical complications, or length of hospitalization between laparoscopic (n = 45) and robotic-assisted (n = 77) procedures. On multivariable analysis controlling for surgical chronology, robotic assistance was independently associated with a significantly greater number of lymph nodes (23 vs. 19, p < 0.05; beta 0.163, p < 0.05). When comparing the first chronologic half of robotic-assisted surgeries to the second half, the latter had shorter operative time (208 vs. 246 min, p = 0.01) and a greater number of lymph nodes (27 vs. 19, p = 0.001). Finally, compared to the laparoscopic cases, the second half of robotic-assisted cases had a greater number of total (27 vs. 19, p < 0.001) and pelvic (23 vs. 17, p < 0.001) lymph nodes harvested.

There was a learning curve associated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic endometrial cancer staging, with decreased operative time and increased lymph node yield over time. In our study population, robotic assistance was independently associated with a greater lymph node harvest with no increase in operative time or perioperative complications.