The role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of endometrial cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the place of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of endometrial cancer.


METHODS
A retrospective uncontrolled case series.


METHODS
Gynaecological Oncology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.


METHODS
Women with endometrial cancer referred to this centre from August 1992 to August 1997.


METHODS
Success of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, operative morbidity, and the length of hospital stay.


RESULTS
Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy was successful in 35 of 40 women (88%). Five women required laparotomy. Two women sustained injury to the inferior epigastric vessels. One sustained injury to the small intestine requiring later laparotomy and three women required a blood transfusion. The mean hospital stay was 3 x 3 days (SD 1 x 5). Three women died of the disease within one year of their operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy is a feasible treatment for endometrial cancer. It can be performed successfully in high risk population who are medically unfit and overweight. However, a larger randomised study is required to assess the morbidity compared with the traditional open approach.
Lim
B K
BK
Regional Gynaecological Oncology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK.
Lavie
O
O
Bolger
B
B
Lopes
T
T
Monaghan
J M
JM
D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000379:methods; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies