title: A prospective randomized comparison between laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches in women with early stage endometrial cancer: a focus on the quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to compare the quality of life (QoL) in women with early stage endometrial cancer treated with 2 different surgical approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-four women with clinical stage I endometrial cancer were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial design and treated with laparoscopic or laparotomic approach. Another 40 women matched for demographic characteristics were studied as controls. In patients, before and after surgery, and in their matched controls, QoL was evaluated by using the Short-Form Healthy Survey (SF-36) and the climacteric symptoms using the Kupperman Index (KI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After randomization, no difference was detected in data recorded between the groups. At entry, QoL was similar in both treatment groups but significantly (P < .05) worse in comparison with controls. Throughout the study, QoL was significantly (P < .05) higher in laparoscopic group versus laparotomic group. After KI adjustment our data did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In early stage endometrial cancer, the laparoscopic approach provides significant benefits compared with laparotomy in terms of QoL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costantino
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tolino
authors.forename: Errico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zupi
authors.forename: Piersandro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tagliaferri
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venuta
mesh_terms: D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life