Preliminary experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of integrating robot-assisted technology in the performance of laparoscopic staging of gynecologic malignancies.


METHODS
Seven patients underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures for gynecologic cancers. Data were collected and analyzed as a retrospective case series analysis.


RESULTS
We attempted 7 robot-assisted laparoscopic staging procedures with no conversions to laparotomy. The median lymph node count for lymphadenectomy was 15 (range, 4 to 29). Mean operating time was 257 minutes (range, 174 to 345). The average estimated blood loss was 50 mL. One patient developed sinusitis and required intravenous antibiotics. The median hospital stay was 2 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Robot-assisted laparoscopic staging is a feasible technique that may overcome the surgical limitations of conventional laparoscopy.
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical Center, L 4000 Women's Hospital, 1500 East Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0276, USA. rkr@umich.edu
R Kevin
RK
Reynolds
William M
WM
Burke
Arnold P
AP
Advincula
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012371:Robotics